Panic Over False Fire Alarm: 13 Passengers Jump Off Train, Crushed to Death by Another in Maharashtra's Jalgaon

Jalgaon Train Accident: Eleven passengers were killed in Maharashtra 's Jalgaon after a fire rumour on a train (Pushpak Express) caused panic, leading passengers to jump off, where Karnataka Express crushed them. The incident occurred after the passengers, who were travelling on the Pushpak Express, stepped out of their coaches, reportedly due to suspicions of a fire in the train.  

Death toll in Jalgaon train accident rises to 13: Ayush Prasad, Collector Jalgaon. Yesterday, passengers of Pushpak Express were hit by Karnataka Express in Pachora of Jalgaon district.

Praveen Gedam, the Nashik Railway Divisional Commissioner, confirmed the number of casualties. "13 people have died in the accident and 5 others are injured. Police and other officials are on-site, with 8 ambulances and several railway rescue vans dispatched to the location. The District Collector and DRM are in constant communication, ensuring that all possible assistance is being provided", Gedam added.   

Where Did The Jalgaon Train Accident Happen? 

The accident took place between Maheji and Pardhade stations near Pachora, where the Lucknow-Mumbai Pushpak Express, a Daily Superfast train operating between Lucknow and Mumbai, had stopped after someone pulled the emergency chain due to a fire rumour around 5 pm, according to Central Railway officials. Pachora is located more than 400 km from Mumbai."

What Led to The Jalgaon Train Accident? 

The incident occurred on the railway tracks, where the passengers were standing after the chain of the Pushpak Express was pulled. Unaware of the approaching danger, the passengers were struck by the Karnataka Express, resulting in multiple casualties. 

Speaking to reporters, a senior railway official said,"Our preliminary information is that there were sparks inside one of the coaches of Pushpak Express due to either 'hot axle' or 'brake-binding' (jamming), and some passengers panicked. They pulled the chain, and some of them jumped down on the tracks. At the same time, Karnataka Express was passing on the adjoining track."  

Disturbing images accessed by Republic World showed  bodies scattered on the tracks, with some survivors wandering nearby, covered in blood.

Maharashtra CM Expresses Grief

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed grief over the incident, stating that he is in constant contact with the district administration to ensure that all necessary assistance is being provided.  "The tragic incident of the loss of lives in a very unfortunate incident near Pachora in Jalgaon district is deeply distressing. I pay my heartfelt tributes to them. My colleague Minister Girish Mahajan and the Superintendent of Police have reached the spot, and the District Collector will reach there shortly," Fadnavis wrote on X in Marathi.

"The entire district administration is working in coordination with the railway administration, and immediate arrangements are being made for the treatment of the injured. 8 ambulances have been dispatched. The general hospital as well as other nearby private hospitals have been kept ready for the treatment of the injured. Emergency equipment like glass cutters, floodlights etc. have also been kept ready. We are monitoring the entire situation and all necessary assistance is being provided immediately. I am in touch with the district administration," the Chief Minister added.

Maharashtra minister Gulabrao Patil, who is also the guardian minister of Jalgaon, said senior officials are reaching the spot.