Maharashtra: 12 killed as train runs over passengers of another train in Jalgaon

In a tragic incident, at least 12 passengers who had stepped down from their train on the tracks following a fire rumour were killed after being hit by another train passing on the adjacent track in North Maharashtra's Jalgaon district on Wednesday.

The accident took place near Pardhade station, near Pachora around 5 pm.

Reports said a fire rumour on the Pushpak Express prompted many passengers to pull the chain and step down from the train. Some of them were hit by the oncoming Bengaluru-Delhi Karnataka Express.

"Our preliminary information is that there were sparks inside one of the coaches of Pushpak Express due to either 'hot axle' or ‘brake-binding' (jamming), and some passengers panicked. They pulled the chain, and some of them jumped down on the tracks. At the same time, Karnataka Express was passing on the adjoining track," a senior railway official told news agency PTI.

While officials confirmed that 12 bodies were recovered from the accident site, Union minister Raksha Khadse, who hails from the district, said the death toll could be as high as 40 according to her information. 

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each to the next of the kin of the passengers who died in the accident. 

"Some passengers in the train mistakenly assumed that smoke was coming out of the train and they jumped. Unfortunately, they were run over by another train. I announce Rs 5 lakh to each kin of the deceased persons in this accident," he said.

Earlier, in a post on X, Fadnavis said his colleague minister Girish Mahajan and the Superintendent of Police have reached the spot to oversee the relief efforts. “The entire district administration is working in coordination with the railway administration and immediate arrangements are being made for the treatment of the injured.”

The chief minister further informed that eight ambulances have been dispatched to the spot and the general hospital as well as other nearby private hospitals have been kept ready for the treatment of the injured. 

“Emergency equipment like glass cutters, floodlights etc. have also been kept ready. We are monitoring the entire situation and all necessary assistance is being provided immediately. I am in touch with the district administration,” he said.

Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan expressed condolences to the families of the deceased.

"Extremely saddened to know about the unfortunate death of some passengers after they were hit by another train near Jalgaon. Convey my condolences to the next of those who lost their lives. Wishing a speedy recovery to the injured,” he wrote on X.