A horrific accident occurred on January 22, 2025, near Pachora in Maharashtra's Jalgaon district, involving the Lucknow-Mumbai Pushpak Express. A fire rumor triggered panic among passengers, leading them to jump off the halted train. Tragically, they were struck by the speeding Karnataka Express on an adjacent track, resulting in 13 deaths and 15 injuries.
Details of the Incident
The Pushpak Express, a daily superfast service running between Lucknow and Mumbai, had made an unexpected halt around 5:00 pm between Maheji and Pardhade stations, approximately 400 kilometers from Mumbai. According to Central Railway officials, passengers of the Pushpak Express pulled the emergency chain after spotting sparks inside one of the coaches. The panic began after a false rumor about a fire spread among the passengers, prompting some to flee the train. At least 30-35 passengers, mostly from the general compartment, jumped off the train in fear of a fire unaware of the Karnataka Express approaching at a speed of 130-140 kmph, they were hit and killed instantly.
The Karnataka Express, en route from Bengaluru to Delhi, could not stop in time due to a curve in the tracks, which impaired visibility for both the locomotive driver and the fleeing passengers. The impact of the collision was devastating, leaving bodies mutilated and scattered across the railway tracks.
Details of the Fatalities and Injuries
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Confirmed Death Toll: At least 13 passengers, including nine men and four women, lost their lives. Among the deceased, four were identified as Nepalese nationals, including a minor boy and two women. Eleven of the victims were identified, while authorities continue efforts to ascertain the identities of the remaining two.
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Injuries: 15 passengers sustained injuries, with four in critical condition receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. The impact was so severe that several victims' bodies were mutilated, complicating the identification process.
The Rumor that Sparked Panic
The tragedy was triggered by a rumor about a fire that had allegedly broken out in one of the Pushpak Express coaches. According to reports, a tea-seller inside the train shouted that a fire had occurred, which was then passed on by two passengers from Shravasti in Uttar Pradesh. This false alarm rapidly spread, creating panic, especially in the general coach.
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The Rumor's Spread: Once the rumor reached more passengers, confusion and fear took over. The chain-pulling incident occurred as a result of this panic, leading the train to halt.
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Jumping from the Train: As the train came to a standstill, frightened passengers rushed to exit. In their haste, they jumped onto the tracks without realizing that the Karnataka Express was speeding toward them on the adjacent track.
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Tragic Consequences: The resulting collision was fatal for many, with the victims being struck at high speed by the Karnataka Express, leading to the devastating loss of life.
Financial Assistance
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Railway Ministry: Announced ex-gratia compensation of:
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₹1.5 lakh for the families of the deceased.
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₹50,000 for passengers with grievous injuries.
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₹5,000 for those with minor injuries.
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Maharashtra Government: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed condolences and announced an additional ₹5 lakh in financial aid for the families of the deceased. The state government will also cover all medical expenses for the injured.
Railway Ministry’s Efforts
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Rescue Operations: Railway officials responded quickly by sending ambulances and dispatching an accident relief train from Bhusaval. The operation continued well into the night to ensure that the injured were taken to nearby hospitals. Rescue operations began immediately after the accident, with district administration and railway officials arriving at the site. Eight ambulances were dispatched, and hospitals in the area were placed on standby to treat the injured. Emergency tools such as glass cutters and floodlights were utilized during the recovery efforts.
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Investigation: An investigation into the exact cause of the fire rumor and the sequence of events that led to the panic is currently underway. Initial findings suggest that the train’s sudden stop due to the chain-pulling incident, combined with the chaos, led to the tragic accident.
Eyewitness Accounts
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Vishal Yadav’s Account: A passenger, Vishal Yadav, recounted his experience, stating that he was caught in the chaos when the brakes were applied and sparks appeared from the train. He mentioned that many passengers failed to understand the gravity of the situation, and in their panic, jumped onto the tracks.
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Pooja Singh’s Account: Pooja Singh, a 19-year-old passenger, described the terrifying moment when she and her mother were on the train. Amid the chaos, she saw passengers being struck by the oncoming train, an image that has haunted her ever since.
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Shamim Ahmed's Account: Another passenger, Shamim Ahmed, who was in a reserved coach, explained that the confusion could have been avoided had passengers remained calm. He emphasized that the accident might not have occurred if people had not panicked.
Key Factors Contributing to the Tragedy
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The Rumor: A false fire alarm, initiated by a tea-seller's shout, set off the chain of events that led to the panic and mass exodus from the train.
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Poor Visibility: The curve of the tracks near the accident site further compounded the situation, as the train drivers had limited visibility. This made it impossible for the Karnataka Express driver to react in time, even though the Pushpak Express driver had followed protocol and activated the train’s warning lights.
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Speed of the Karnataka Express: The Karnataka Express was traveling at speeds of up to 140 km/h, which left little time for any preventive measures to be taken once the passengers stepped onto the tracks.
Preventive Measures for the Future
The tragic Jalgaon accident highlights the critical need for:
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Enhanced Safety Protocols: Training passengers and onboard staff to respond calmly during emergencies.
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Improved Communication Systems: Ensuring accurate information is conveyed to prevent panic.
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Infrastructure Upgrades: Addressing visibility issues on curved tracks and installing advanced warning systems for approaching trains.
The Jalgaon train tragedy serves as a grim reminder of how misinformation can lead to catastrophic consequences. While financial aid and condolences may offer some solace to the victims' families, a comprehensive review of railway safety protocols and passenger education is crucial to prevent such incidents in the future. The coordinated efforts of authorities in the aftermath of this accident underline the importance of timely emergency responses in mitigating the impact of such disasters.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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