Maharashtra’s Jalgaon – In a tragic incident that unfolded on Wednesday evening, at least 11 passengers lost their lives in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district after stepping onto train tracks due to a false alarm. The accident occurred between Maheji and Pardhade stations near Pachora, about 400 kilometers from Mumbai, when passengers of the Lucknow-Mumbai Pushpak Express were struck by another train, the Karnataka Express, which was traveling on the adjacent tracks.
The mishap was triggered by a rumor of a fire in one of the coaches of the Pushpak Express. Around 5 p.m., someone pulled the emergency chain to halt the train, causing it to come to a stop near Pachora. Fearing for their lives, several passengers exited the train and unwittingly stepped onto the nearby tracks, unaware that the Karnataka Express was approaching. In a matter of moments, the unsuspecting passengers were hit by the oncoming train, leading to the horrific loss of life.
According to initial reports from Central Railway officials, the panic was caused by what appeared to be sparks coming from one of the coaches. A senior railway official explained that this may have been due to a mechanical issue, either a “hot axle” or “brake-binding,” which caused some visible sparks. This sight alarmed passengers, prompting someone to pull the chain, and led to the tragic chain of events.
Swapnil Nila, the chief spokesperson for Central Railway, confirmed the series of events, stating, “Some passengers of the Pushpak Express stepped down and were hit by the oncoming Karnataka Express, which was heading from Bengaluru to Delhi.”
Local authorities and railway officials quickly responded to the scene. Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan, in a statement to a news channel, mentioned that between 10 to 12 people had died in the accident. While the exact number of casualties is still being confirmed, the district collector provided preliminary information suggesting that at least 11 lives were lost.
Maharashtra minister Gulabrao Patil, who also serves as the guardian minister of Jalgaon, assured the public that senior officials were on their way to the site of the accident to conduct further investigations and assist with the situation. “Senior officials are reaching the spot, after which more information will be available,” he stated.
As rescue operations and investigations continue, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers posed by misinformation in emergency situations. While the exact cause of the sparks inside the coach is yet to be determined, it appears that the passengers’ understandable fear of a fire led them into harm’s way.
The loss of life has sent shockwaves through the region, and the families of the victims are grieving. This tragic event has raised questions about passenger safety, emergency procedures, and the communication protocols used in the event of potential fires or mechanical failures on trains.
More information is expected to be released as the investigation continues, but for now, Maharashtra and the entire country mourn the lives lost in this devastating accident.