A major train accident near Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur on Tuesday left at least four people dead and several injured.
Two passengers are still missing after a MEMU passenger train travelling from Gevra Road to Bilaspur crashed into a stationary freight train.
The collision took place around 4 PM between Gatora and Bilaspur stations in the South East Central Railway (SECR) zone.
The impact was so strong that the leading coach of the MEMU train climbed onto the freight rake, causing massive damage and chaos among passengers.
Bilaspur Collector Sanjay Agarwal confirmed the deaths and said rescue operations are ongoing.
“We lost four lives. Rescue teams are using every resource to free two trapped passengers,” Agarwal said at the site.
Police and disaster teams used hydraulic cutters to clear debris and rescue survivors. More than a dozen passengers suffered injuries, including fractures and head trauma.
Eyewitness videos on social media showed the passenger coach perched on top of freight wagons, highlighting the sheer force of the crash.
The MEMU train, service number 68733, was nearing Bilaspur when it struck the freight train near Lal Khadan, just outside the station. Locals quickly rushed to help before rescue teams arrived.
SECR General Manager Tarun Prakash and Bilaspur Divisional Railway Manager Rajmal Khoiwal reached the site. They personally supervised the ongoing rescue and relief operations.
Rescue teams immediately deployed medical staff and ambulances and rushed the injured passengers to nearby hospitals.
The SECR’s Chief Public Relations Officer confirmed two injuries so far, though local sources warned that the toll may rise as rescue work continues.
Preliminary reports suggest both trains ended up on the same track.
Officials suspect either a signalling failure or human error, but the exact cause remains unclear. A high-level inquiry has been initiated to determine the cause of the incident.
Train services on the affected route have been suspended or diverted. The railways have also issued helpline numbers for families of passengers.
The accident site has drawn large crowds, with police and railway staff working to maintain order.
As rescue efforts continue, the tragedy once again raises concerns about railway safety and infrastructure readiness across India’s busy rail network.
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