Train Collision in Tamil Nadu: 19 Injured, No Fatalities

On Friday night, a passenger train collided with a stationary goods train in Kavarapettai, Tamil Nadu, resulting in injuries to at least 19 people. Fortunately, officials reported no fatalities and confirmed that the injuries were not life-threatening. The incident involved the Bagmati Express, which was traveling from Mysuru in Karnataka to Darbhanga in Bihar, leading to the derailment of at least 12 coaches.

Details of the Crash

The collision occurred around 8:30 PM, shortly after the train passed Ponneri station. Initial reports indicate that the express train mistakenly entered a loop line where the goods train was parked. Despite receiving a green signal to continue on the mainline, the passenger train was traveling at 75 km/h when it experienced a sudden jerk and collided with the stationary train.

A Southern Railways official explained, "While entering Kavarapettai station, the train crew felt a heavy jerk and, instead of following the signal into the main line, the train entered a loop line, hitting the goods train from behind."

Rescue Operations

All passengers were successfully evacuated following a prompt rescue operation. T. Prabhushankar, the District Collector of Tiruvallur, mentioned that there were around 1,360 passengers on board and that they reached the site immediately after receiving the information. He added that Chief Minister MK Stalin had instructed them to ensure the rescue operation proceeded without delay. Among the injured, it was reported that four individuals sustained severe injuries and were taken to the hospital, but all were currently stable.

Government Response

Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin visited passengers at the Government Stanley Medical College Hospital in Chennai to provide support. The accident has disrupted train services in the area, prompting the diversion of several trains.

Safety Measures

Following the collision, the Railways issued helpline numbers to assist affected passengers. The incident has drawn comparisons to the tragic 2023 Balasore crash, where a train entering a loop line similarly struck a goods train, resulting in one of the deadliest accidents in Indian railway history.

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The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, as officials aim to prevent such incidents in the future.