Jalgaon train tragedy highlights: Amit Shah speaks to Devendra Fadnavis, expresses condolences over deaths

Railways announced Rs 1.5 lakh ex gratia for the deceased's families, Rs 50,000 grievous and Rs 5,000 simple injury in the Jalgaon incident.

The track curvature affected visibility for Karnataka Express which hit passengers in Maharashtra's Jalgaon district, said the officials.

President Droupadi Murmu shared her condolences on X, "The news of the death of many passengers in the railway track accident in Jalgaon, Maharashtra is extremely painful. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I pray to God that all the injured passengers recover soon."

The death count in the tragic incident rose to twelve. At least 35 persons were injured after they stepped down from their train on the tracks and were run over by another train coming from the opposite direction in North Maharashtra's Jalgaon district on Wednesday evening.

Deputy CM Eknath Shinde said prima facie passengers of Pushpak Express jumped off the train amid rumours of a fire on board the train. He said the exact number of the injured and deceased passengers is being ascertained.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said "The state government will provide financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the families of those who died in the unfortunate accident in Jalgaon district, and the state government will also bear the entire expenses of the injured. I pray to God for the speedy recovery of the injured."

Till now, 11 people have died in the accident and 6 others are injured and are being treated. As per the information received from the hospital, no one is in critical condition, said Jalgaon SP, Dr Maheswar Reddy

Home Minister Amit Shah expresses his condolence over the deaths in the Jalgaon incident. He, on X, wrote, "The train accident in Jalgaon, Maharashtra is extremely sad. I spoke to Chief Minister Shri @Dev_Fadnavis ji in this regard and got information about the accident. The local administration is providing all possible help to the injured. I express my deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this accident and wish for the speedy recovery of the injured."

Pushpak Express accident | Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole said, "As per our date, 24-25 people have lost their lives in the accident. In recent times, we have seen that railway accidents have increased continuously...The Kavach (train protection system) has also failed to work."

Information & Publicity Department of Railway Board, Executive Director, Dilip Kumar said, "A few passengers pulled alarm chain on Pushpak Express and deboarded the train. Bengaluru-New Delhi Karnataka Express was coming from the other side. We have received information of grievous injuries to a few passengers after getting hit by it. Several people had boarded the train from Bhusawal and one of the pulled the alarm chain. After that, they deboarded the train and either tried to cross the train in a wrong manner or were standing on the tracks. Due to this, they were hit by the train. Bhusawal Divisional Railway Manager has left for the spot, medical team is there, local admin is there as well. Railway's senior section engineer is there as well. Other senior doctors and ambulances have been arranged..."

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, "The tragic incident of the loss of lives in a very unfortunate incident near Pachora in Jalgaon district is deeply distressing. I pay my heartfelt tributes to them. My colleague Minister Girish Mahajan and the Superintendent of Police have reached the spot, and the District Collector will reach there shortly. The entire district administration is working in coordination with the railway administration, and immediate arrangements are being made for the treatment of the injured. 8 ambulances have been dispatched. The general hospital as well as other nearby private hospitals have been kept ready for the treatment of the injured. Emergency equipment like glass cutters, floodlights etc. have also been kept ready. We are monitoring the entire situation and all necessary assistance is being provided immediately. I am in touch with the district administration."

Karnataka Express was coming so fast that the loco pilot did not get time to blow the horn to stop the train. The train stopped only when dozens of people had come in front of the moving train.

CPRO Central Railway, Swapnil Nila said, "Near Pachora in Jalgaon Pushpak Express which was coming from Lucknow towards Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, an incident of alarm chain pulling occurred. After this incident, a few passengers deboarded the train. At the same time Karnataka Express was crossing through there and going in the opposite direction, we have come to know that a few passengers were hit by that train. As primary information, 7-8 passengers have suffered injuries. We have taken the help of local administration to take care of them. We have also sought help from nearby hospitals. Railway's accident relief medical van has also left from Bhusawal and it will reach the site soon... Karnataka Express has resumed its onward journey and Pushpak Express will resume the journey after help is provided to injured passengers."

"Senior officials are reaching the spot, after which more information will be available," said Maharashtra Minister Gulabrao Patil who is also the guardian minister of Jalgaon.

Some eyewitnesses have also claimed that the Bangalore Express coming from the front did not even blow the horn If it had blown the horn, the passengers would have been alerted.

A senior railway official said, "Our preliminary information is that there were sparks inside one of the coaches of Pushpak Express due to either `hot axle' or `brake-binding' (jamming), and some passengers panicked. They pulled the chain, and some of them jumped down on the tracks. At the same time, Karnataka Express was passing on the adjoining track." 

According to Maharashtra Minister Girish Mahajan, 11 dead bodies were recovered from the incident site in Jalgaon. 

Some passengers of the Pushpak Express stepped down, and were hit by the oncoming Karnataka Express, said Central Railway's chief spokesperson Swapnil Nila.

The accident took place near Pardhade station, near Pachora, where the Pushpak Express had halted after someone pulled the chain due to a rumour of fire on board around 5 pm, the officials said. Pachora is more than 400 km away from Mumbai.

The accident took place near Pachora station, where Pushpak Express had halted after someone pulled the chain due to a rumour of fire on board around 5 pm. Some passengers of the Pushpak Express stepped down, and were hit by the oncoming Karnataka Express, said Central Railway's chief spokesperson Swapnil Nila. At least eight persons died in the accident.

At least eight persons were killed after they stepped down from their train on the tracks and were run over by another train coming from the opposite direction in North Maharashtra's Jalgaon district on Wednesday evening, Central Railway officials said.