Goods Train Runs Over 6 Labourers Sheltering Under It In Odisha's Jajpur

In a devastating incident that has shaken the residents of Odisha, at least six labourers were killed and two others critically injured in Odisha's Jajpur Keonjhar Road railway station after being run over by a goods train on Wednesday, an official said. The incident occurred five days after a major accident involving three trains in Odisha's Balasore district, which killed 288 people.

According to preliminary reports, seven labourers were involved in repairing the tracks near Jajpur Road station in the district. As a thunderstorm accompanied by strong surface winds suddenly struck the area, heavy rainfall ensued. The labourers took shelter beneath a stationary goods train wagon, which was devoid of an engine.

While they patiently waited for the rain to subside, an unexpected turn of events unfolded. The stationary train unexpectedly started moving, possibly due to the forceful gusts of wind. Two of the labourers managed to escape from under the wagon, but tragically, six others were unable to evade the wheels of the moving train.

The impact of the incident resulted in the immediate death of six labourers, while two sustained critical injuries.

"There was a sudden thunderstorm. The labourers were working at a railway siding where a goods train was standing stationary. They sheltered under it but unfortunately, the goods train which did not have an engine attached to it started moving causing the accident," said a railway spokesperson.

The injured persons were admitted to SCB Medical College and Hospital at Cuttack.

In a statement, the East Coast Railway said, "The contractual labourers engaged by a contractor for railway work took shelter under the stabled rake to get protection from the wind and rain of Norwester near Jajpur Keonjar Road (station)." The reserve rake without an engine started rolling due to the thunderstorm causing the accident, it said.