Tamil Nadu train accident: 19 injured, probe on, restoration to take 16 hours

A high level enquiry was ordered on Saturday by the Indian Railways after a running express train collided with a stationary goods train at Tamil Nadu’s Kavaraipettai railway station, injuring at least 19.

Due to the impact of the collision, which happened on Friday evening near Chennai, a fire broke out in two coaches of the Mysuru-Darbhanga Bagmati Express train, and 13 coaches derailed.

Restoration work is underway at the site to resume train services. However, rain has affected the pace of the restoration efforts. Railway officials said on Saturday morning that it will take approximately 16 hours for the restoration.

Meanwhile, the stranded passengers were transferred to another special train on Saturday morning to continue their journey. The injured people have been hospitalised.

Drone footage showed damaged coaches scattered at the site, while crowds gathered at the accident spot.

TAMIL NADU TRAIN ACCIDENT

The incident occurred at around 8.30 pm on Friday. According to railway officials, the train crew experienced a heavy jolt while entering Kavaraipettai station. Instead of proceeding onto the main line as signalled, the train shifted onto the loop line and collided with a stationary goods train.

“It was not supposed to stop here, so it was to pass through the station. After leaving Chennai, green signals were given for this train. The driver was following the signals correctly, but the train should have taken the main line. Instead, it took the loop line at the switch, which is where the error occurred, RN Singh, General Manager of Southern Railway, said.

The parcel van of the train caught fire in the accident and 13 coaches have derailed. The train movement on that stretch has been closed, and restoration work is underway. The Railways has cancelled two trains and diverted more than half a dozen others via alternate routes.

Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi slammed the central government, stating that no lessons were learned from the repeated train derailments.

He tweeted, “The Mysuru-Darbhanga train accident mirrors the horrific Balasore accident—a passenger train colliding with a stationary goods train. Despite many lives lost in numerous accidents, no lessons are learned. Accountability starts at the top. How many more families must be destroyed before this government wakes up?”.

Chief Minister MK Stalin said he was monitoring rescue and restoration work. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin met the passengers who were injured at the Government Stanley Medical College in Chennai. Minister Avadi Nasar and top officials were leading the rescue efforts at the spot.

The Railways state that more than 95 per cent of passengers were safely evacuated from the affected coaches, and so far, there have been no reports of any casualties or grievous injuries. A special train carrying stranded passengers of the Mysuru-Darbhanga Bagmati Express departed from the Chennai Central railway station early on Saturday morning to continue its journey. The train departed from the station at around 4.45 am. The stranded passengers were provided with food and water during the wait, the Railways said.