New Delhi, January 23
The death toll in the Jalgaon train accident in Maharashtra on Wednesday evening has risen to 13, officials said, including four Nepalese nationals. Rumors of a fire in the Lucknow-Mumbai Pushpak Express train caused panic among passengers, many of whom jumped and another person was crushed by an oncoming train on the other track.
According to a Maharashtra government report submitted by the office of the Collector and District Magistrate, Jalgaon, the accident took place around 5:05 pm. According to the preliminary report, the total number of dead is 13 and the number of injured is 10.
Four Nepalese nationals are also among the dead. Of the 13 dead, seven have been identified while six remain unaccounted for, officials said, adding that four women were among the dead.
It may be mentioned that the accident took place between Maheji and Pardhade stations near Pachora, 400 km from Mumbai, where the Lucknow-Mumbai train stopped after some passengers pulled their chains due to rumors of a sudden fire. Some passengers of Pushpak Express got down and collided with Bengaluru to Delhi Karnataka Express.
Why did the accident happen?
Reports so far have said that a ‘hot axle’ or ‘brake-binding’ (jamming) inside a coach of the Pushpak Express caused sparks and panicked some passengers. They pulled the chain and some jumped out of the vehicle. At the same time Karnataka Express was also passing on the adjacent track. In harrowing pictures after the accident, bodies were lying on the tracks and some people were seen walking around covered in blood.
The Prime Minister shared his grief, announced compensation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and said, “I am saddened by the tragic accident that took place on the railway tracks in Jalgaon. I express my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the speedy recovery of all the injured. Officials are providing all possible assistance to the affected people.”
The Railway Ministry has announced a compensation of Rs 1.5 lakh for the families of the victims, Rs 50,000 for the seriously injured and Rs 5,000 for the minor injured.
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Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, present at the World Economic Forum in Davos, announced a financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of those who lost their lives in the tragedy. IANS
