A serious incident occurred late on October 11 when the Bagmati Express (Train No. 12578) derailed at Kavaraipettai, leaving 19 passengers injured. Four of these individuals are reported to be in critical condition.
The Southern Railway has initiated a high-level probe into the accident. The Bagmati Express, which operates between Mysuru and Darbhanga in Bihar, collided with a stationary goods train around 8:30 PM. The impact caused 12 coaches of the express train to derail, and a parcel van caught fire. Fortunately, fire and rescue services quickly extinguished the flames.
Rescue operations were swiftly undertaken by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). According to railway sources, the derailment was attributed to a signal failure. Reports indicate that the train had been given a green signal to proceed on the main line. However, while traveling at 75 km/h, it unexpectedly entered the loop line and collided with the rear of the goods train.
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The train had just crossed Ponneri railway station at 8:27 PM, and the crew was unaware of the imminent danger. As they approached Kavaraipettai station, they felt a heavy jerk. Instead of continuing on the main line as signaled, the train veered into the loop line.
Southern Railway officials confirmed that the crew members were unharmed, and they reported that all injured passengers have been transported to nearby hospitals. “So far, no fatalities have been reported, but some injuries have occurred,” an official stated.
The derailment has disrupted train movements on both sides of the affected section. Alternative arrangements are being made for passenger transportation.
This accident recalls the tragic Balasore incident in Odisha on June 2, 2023, where 290 passengers lost their lives and over 900 were injured. The Southern Railway is committed to thoroughly investigating the causes of this latest derailment.
