12 Passengers Killed in Jalgaon Train Accident After Panic Over False Fire Alarm

At least 12 passengers tragically died on Wednesday evening after jumping from a Mumbai-bound train due to a false fire alarm. They were struck by another train on the adjacent tracks, officials reported. The incident involved the 12533 Lucknow-Mumbai Pushpak Express, where passengers, fearing a fire, leapt onto the tracks and were hit by the Karnataka Express traveling from Bengaluru to Delhi.

Central Railway officials stated that the accident occurred between Maheji and Pardhade stations near Pachora town in North Maharashtra's Jalgaon district. The Pushpak Express had stopped after someone pulled the emergency chain around 4:45 pm. Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information and Publicity at the Railway Board, clarified that no spark or fire was detected in the coach.

Financial Assistance Announced

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced financial aid of Rs 5 lakh for the families of those who died. He stated in a video message from Davos, Switzerland, "Some passengers in the train mistakenly assumed that smoke is coming out of the train and they jumped. Unfortunately, they were ran over by another train." The Commissioner of Railway Safety, Central Circle, will investigate the incident's circumstances.

The Railway Board also declared an ex gratia payment of Rs 1.5 lakh for each deceased's family, Rs 50,000 for severe injuries, and Rs 5,000 for minor injuries. Jalgaon district information officer Yuvraj Patil confirmed that 12 passengers died while 15 others sustained injuries.

Condolences from Leaders

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the victims' families and wished for a quick recovery for the injured. "Anguished by the tragic accident on the railway tracks in Jalgaon, Maharashtra. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the speedy recovery of all the injured," he posted on X.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah described the tragedy as extremely sad and mentioned speaking with Chief Minister Fadnavis to assess the situation. "The train accident in Jalgaon, Maharashtra is extremely sad," Shah wrote on X in Hindi. He assured that local authorities are providing all possible assistance to those affected.

Investigation Underway

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, expressed deep sorrow over the incident. A statement from the Railway Board noted that he gathered complete information about the event and directed proper treatment for all injured individuals. He also extended condolences to those who lost loved ones.

A passenger recounted to a Marathi news channel that panic ensued when some saw sparks from the train wheels as brakes were applied. This led to passengers pulling the emergency chain and disembarking onto the tracks. Visuals from the scene showed mutilated body parts along a stretch of railway track.

Community Response

Nearby villagers rushed to assist at the accident site. Salman Pathan, a Pachora resident, described seeing mutilated bodies on the tracks. "We saw the headless body of a man. A woman was inconsolable after her husband lost his life in the accident, his body badly mangled," he said.

A senior railway official suggested preliminary findings indicate sparks and smoke inside one of Pushpak Express's general coaches might have been due to a 'hot axle' or 'brake-binding jamming.' Manoj Arora, Commissioner of Railway Safety CRS, Central Circle, planned to visit the site over 400 km from Mumbai on Thursday morning.

Arora also holds additional charge as CRS for Western Circle and intends to record statements from passengers and eyewitnesses. "We will invite passengers and other eye-witnesses. They can share their version about the accident," he stated.