The victims, which included nine men and four women, were mowed down between Maheji and Pardhade stations near Pachora, more than 400 km from Mumbai. Dr. Vijay Gaikwad, superintendent of Jalgaon Government Medical College and Hospital, confirmed the casualties.
The incident occurred around 4:45 PM when the Pushpak Express halted unexpectedly after someone pulled the emergency chain. Rumors of smoke inside the train caused panic among passengers, leading them to jump onto the tracks, unaware of the oncoming Karnataka Express traveling at over 100 kmph. The sharp track curvature reportedly hampered the Karnataka Express driver’s visibility, leaving little time to avert the collision despite protocol being followed.
A senior railway official stated that the driver of the Pushpak Express had switched on the flasher lights as per procedure, signaling the emergency stop. The Karnataka Express driver, too, applied brakes upon noticing the signal. However, the track’s curvature and high speed significantly reduced the braking distance, making the accident unavoidable.
In a video message from Davos, Switzerland, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy. “Some passengers mistakenly assumed there was smoke in the train and jumped. Unfortunately, they were run over by another train,” he said. The CM announced ₹5 lakh in compensation for the families of the deceased.
The Railway Board has also declared an ex-gratia payment of ₹1.5 lakh to the family of the dead, ₹50,000 for those grievously injured, and ₹5,000 for passengers with minor injuries.
Eyewitness accounts revealed harrowing chaos and confusion, as several passengers panicked without verifying the situation. Officials clarified that there was no fire onboard, and the rumors remain unverified.
Rescue operations concluded late evening, with injured passengers receiving treatment at local hospitals. The tragic incident underscores the importance of ensuring calm and clear communication during emergencies to prevent avoidable disasters.
An inquiry has been ordered to investigate the circumstances leading to the accident and assess whether additional safety measures can prevent similar tragedies on India’s busy railway network.
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