At least 12 coaches of Bagmati Express, a superfast train from Mysuru to Darbhanga in Bihar, derailed after colliding with a stationary goods train at Kavaraipettai, around 42 km from Chennai, Friday evening. No casualties were reported as per railway officials.Seven to eight passengers were injured, news agency PTI General Manager of Southern Railway RN Singh as saying on Saturday morning.“This train… passed Ponneri railway station at 8.27 pm and was given a green signal to run through the 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 as per the line clear and signals given, the train entered into the loop line at 75 kmph and hit the stabled goods train in loop line,” said Manjunath Kanamadi, CPRO, South Western Railway. “A total of 12-13 coaches derailed. So far, no casualty has been reported. All passengers have been moved to nearby hospitals for treatment. Train movement in both directions is closed,” he said.
Officials said the parcel van attached to the train engine caught fire in the collision. It was later put out by the fire brigade.
Expressing shock over the incident, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, in a post on X, said as soon as the information was received, he asked state minister S M Nasar and other government officials, including the District Collector, to go to the accident site.
“The government is working fast in rescue and relief work. The injured were immediately taken to hospital. A separate team is arranging food and travel facilities for the other passengers to return home… I am continuing to monitor the rescue operation,” Stalin said.
Officials said a medical relief van and rescue team have been sent to the site from Chennai central. Senior officials were also heading to the spot, they said.
“Information about the accident of Bagmati Express at Kavaraipettai station of Chennai division of Southern Railway was received. The rescue team from the Railways has reached the spot. Passengers are being evacuated from all the coaches,” said Dilip Kumar, Executive Director (Information & Publicity), Railway Board.
“No death or serious injury has been reported yet. Both the relief team and the medical team are present at the spot. Arrangements are being made by the Railways to take the passengers to their destination. All passengers, crew and driver are safe,” Kumar said.
“We are moving all the passengers by EMU to Chennai Central, and a fresh train has been readied at Chennai to take them to Darbhanga and other destinations,” said a railway official.
Due to the accident, eight trains – the Chennai-New Delhi Express; Alleppey-Dhanbad Express; Ernakulam-Tata Express; Tiruchirapalli-Howrah Express; Ramagundam-Secunderabad Special; Coimbatore-Dhanbad Express Special Train; Dhanbad-Alappuzha Express; and Jabalpur Madurai Express — have been diverted.
The Railway has issued the following helpline numbers: 04425354151, 04425330952, 044-25330953 and 044-25354995.
Source: The Indian Express