A train accident occurred on the night of October 11 after Bagmati Express (Train No. 12578), running from Mysuru to Darbhanga, derailed after colliding with a stationary goods train at Kavaraipettai railway station in Tiruvallur district, near Chennai. The impact of the collision caused 12 coaches of the express train to derail, and a parcel van caught fire, which was later extinguished by fire and rescue teams.
As many as 19 passengers were rushed to the hospital. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) arrived promptly at the scene and spearheaded rescue efforts.
How Did the Accident Happen?
According to initial reports from Southern Railway, the Bagmati Express was traveling at 75 km/h when it was mistakenly diverted onto a loop line at Kavaraipettai, instead of staying on the main line as intended. The train collided with the rear of a stationary goods train that was positioned on the loop line. The express train had received a green signal at Ponneri station, but the sudden switch to the loop line caused a severe jerk before the collision occurred.
"While entering the Kavaraipettai station, the train crew experienced heavy jerk and instead of going into the main line as per the signal given, the train entered into the Loop/line@75kmp & hit the Goods train standing in loop line," a Southern Railway press release said, as per PTI.
Railway officials are investigating the cause of the error that led the train onto the wrong track.
Meanwhile, efforts to clear the debris and restore normal train operations in the area are ongoing.
Relief Operations Underway
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin expressed shock at the incident and said he is closely monitoring the ongoing rescue and relief operations. “The government is engaged in swift relief and rescue activities,” he stated, adding that injured passengers are being treated at local hospitals. Stalin sent Minister Avadi Nasar and top officials to the site to oversee the rescue efforts and ensure the safe onward journey of other passengers.
The Railway Board confirmed that, as of now, no fatalities have been reported. Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information and Publicity at the Railway Board, released a video message stating, "We received information of the collision at Kavarapettai station. Rescue and relief teams reached the accident site immediately." He added that the fire from the parcel van had been extinguished, and that train movement in the affected stretch has been temporarily suspended.
The derailed coaches are currently being cleared from the tracks by fire and rescue personnel, while senior railway and government officials, doctors, and ambulances remain on-site to assist in the ongoing relief efforts. Most passengers have either been rescued or transported to nearby hospitals.