Panic over a fire rumour started on a train prompted several passengers to jump off the Pushpak Express in Maharashtra only to be faced with an oncoming train from the other side. Eleven people died, and as many were injured, when they were hit by the Karnataka Express in Jalgaon at around 4.50 pm on Wednesday.
Where did the accident happen?
The accident happened between Maheji and Pardhade stations near Pachora taluk of Jalgaon district. Pachora is over 400km from Mumbai.
Which trains were involved?
The passengers were onboard the Pushpak Express, a daily superfast train, operating between Lucknow and Mumbai. The train was heading towards Mumbai. The Karnataka Express, which was passing through the adjacent track, run over the victims when they jumped.
What triggered the tragedy?
The Pushpak Express was halted near the Pardhade railway station because of some ongoing track work. As the train stopped, some sparks flew, prompting some passengers to believe there was a fire onboard. Panic ensued and 30-35 passengers started jumping off the train.
Rescue operations
Harrowing visuals shared on social media from Jalgaon show bodies strewn across train tracks as passengers and medical teams evacuating the injured. Out of the 11 injured, four are critical. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that eight ambulances had been dispatched to the spot. The injured were taken to local hospitals and other private medical facilities.
Emergency equipment like glass cutters and floodlights have also been kept ready, Fadnavis tweeted.
Condolences and reactions
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, currently in Davos for the World Economic Forum, expressed his condolences on the Jalgaon tragedy.
He added that minister Girish Mahajan and the Superintendent of Police have reached the accident spot. “We are monitoring the entire situation and all necessary assistance is being provided immediately. I am in touch with the district administration,” he tweeted.
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) January 22, 2025
The Divisional Railway Manager of Bhusawal and state government officials also reached the accident site.
Former CM Eknath Shinde also mourned the deaths on X adding that “instructions have been given” to the administration to shift the injured to hospitals and provide them with treatment.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) January 22, 2025
Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Fadnavis on the Jalgaon tragedy and tweeted his condolences to the families of the victims. He also wished a speedy recovery to the injured. “The local administration is providing all possible help to the injured. I express my condolences to the citizens who died in this accident and wish the injured a speedy recovery,” Shah tweeted.
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