All injured passengers have been admitted to the nearby hospitals for treatment. However, no casualties were reported
At least 19 passengers were injured after 12 coaches of Mysuru-Darbhanga Bagmati Superfast Express derailed following collision with a stationary goods train near Chennai on Friday night.
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All injured passengers have been admitted to the nearby hospitals for treatment. However, no casualties were reported. A few trains including Dhanbad-Alappuzha Express and Jabalpur-Madurai Superfast Special Train have been diverted.
The incident took place at Kavarapettai, which comes under Chennai Railway Division, when train number 12578 Mysuru-Darbhanga Bagmati Superfast Express passed Ponneri station around 8:27 pm and was given green signal to run through at next station Kavaraipettai via the mainline. While entering the Kavaraipettai station, the train crew experienced heavy jerk and instead of going into the main line it entered into the loop line and hit the stationary goods train.
After the collision, a parcel van which was next to the engine caught fire, but was quickly doused off.
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Senior state officials and Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Chennai, Southern Railway have also rushed to the spot. Meanwhile, alternative arrangements have been made to transport or accommodate the passengers.
Railway officials, rescue teams, and medical personnel are working swiftly to ensure the safety and well-being of the passengers.
RAILWAY MINISTER MONITORS SITUATION
Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw monitored the situation at the train accident site in the wee hours of Saturday, October 12. He spoke to the officials for restoration of railway lines and took an health update of those injured.
A special train carrying stranded passengers of the Mysuru-Darbhanga Bagmati Express, which collided with a stationary goods train at Kavaraippettai Railway Station, departed from Dr MGR Chennai Central railway station on Saturday early morning to continue its journey.
STATE GOVT MONITORING SITUATION
Tamil Nadu Chief minister MK Stalin expressed grief over the tragic incident and said that state minister SM Nasar has been ordered to reach the accident spot to take stock of the situation.
Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin urged the Centre to take appropriate actions to prevent train accidents in the future. “Union Government should stop the series of train accidents. There have been no casualties so far and proper arrangements have been made for those going back to the town,” he said.
Former Bihar deputy CM and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav also expressed his concern over the incident and urged the administration and railways to expedite rescue and relief operations.
HELPLINE NUMBERS
Emergency helpline numbers have been issued by the Railways:
Chennai Division: 04425354151, 04424354995
Samastipur- 8102918840
Darbhanga- 8210335395
Danapur – 9031069105
DDU Junction- 7525039558
