In a major rail accident, the Mysuru-Darbhanga Bagmati Express collided with a stationary freight train in Tamil Nadu’s Kavarapettai on Friday evening, leading to the derailment of 12 coaches and causing injuries to several passengers.
According to a statement by the Indian Railways, the accident occurred at around 8:30 pm in the Ponneri-Kavarapettai section of the Chennai division. Visuals from the accident site showed a fire breaking out in one of the derailed coaches, which was quickly brought under control by the fire brigade.
“Train no. 12578 Mysuru-Darbhanga Bagmati Express passed Ponneri at 20:27 hours. The crew experienced a heavy jerk as the train entered the loop line and collided with a stationary goods train. Thankfully, no casualties have been reported, though a few passengers sustained injuries,” said a railway spokesperson.
The Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of South Western Railway confirmed that between 12 to 13 coaches of the passenger train had derailed following the collision. A parcel van near the engine caught fire but was promptly extinguished by the fire brigade.
“Train no. 12578 Mysuru-Darbhanga Express had a rear collision with a goods train at Kavaraippettai Railway Station around 20:30 hrs in the Chennai-Gudur section between Ponneri and Kavarappettai. The fire in the parcel van was doused, and the situation is being monitored,” added the CPRO.
Rescue and relief operations were quickly initiated at the accident site, with emergency services rushing to aid the affected passengers. Helpline numbers have been set up to assist families and friends of those on board the train. The numbers are 044-25354151, 044-25330952, 044-25330953, and 044-25354995.
Further investigations into the cause of the accident are ongoing, and efforts are being made to clear the tracks and restore normal rail services in the affected section.
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