Incident Overview
On Friday evening, the Mysuru-Darbhanga Bagmati Express collided with a stationary goods train at Kavaraipettai railway station in Tamil Nadu, resulting in injuries to at least 19 passengers. A high-level inquiry has been initiated by Indian Railways to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Details of the Collision
The collision occurred around 8:30 PM, causing a fire to erupt in two of the express train’s coaches and leading to the derailment of 13 coaches. Railway officials indicated that the crew experienced a severe jolt as the train mistakenly entered a loop line instead of the main line, despite receiving green signals.
Restoration and Passenger Assistance
Restoration efforts are currently underway, although heavy rain has hampered progress. Railway officials estimated that it would take approximately 16 hours to restore services. Meanwhile, stranded passengers were transferred to a special train early Saturday morning to continue their journeys. The Railways ensured that food and water were provided to those affected during the wait.
Government and Public Reaction
In the wake of the accident, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi criticized the central government for failing to learn from previous train derailments, drawing parallels to the tragic Balasore accident. He emphasized the need for accountability at the highest levels of governance to prevent future tragedies.
Response from State Officials
Chief Minister MK Stalin is actively monitoring rescue and restoration operations. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin visited the injured passengers at Government Stanley Medical College in Chennai. Other officials, including Minister Avadi Nasar, are leading the rescue efforts on-site.
Safety Measures and Future Precautions
Railway authorities reported that over 95% of passengers were safely evacuated from the affected coaches, with no reports of fatalities or serious injuries thus far. As train movement remains suspended in the affected area, the Railways has canceled two trains and diverted several others to alternate routes to ensure safety.
