Officials said that more than 44 of the 52 diesel tankers on the train have been safely detached and secured by railway personnel. The remaining tankers have suffered severe damage.
Published Jul 13, 2025 | 10:32 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 13, 2025 | 10:32 AM
Goods train catches fire after derailing near Tiruvallur in Tamil Nadu
Synopsis: A goods train carrying oil from Chennai Port to Jolarpettai derailed and caught fire near Tiruvallur Railway Station in Tamil Nadu. The incident occurred when three wagons carrying fuel from the Indian Oil Corporation in Chennai to Bengaluru derailed, leading to a fuel leak and subsequent fire.
A goods train carrying oil from Chennai Port to Jolarpettai derailed and caught fire near Tiruvallur Railway Station in Tamil Nadu in the early hours of Sunday, 13 July. The incident occurred when three wagons carrying fuel from the Indian Oil Corporation in Chennai to Bengaluru derailed, leading to a fuel leak and subsequent fire.
Tiruvallur Superintendent of Police (SP) Srinivasa Perumal is overseeing safety arrangements at the site. Tiruvallur District Collector M Prathap is also at the site, conducting inspections. Fire and rescue personnel from Ambattur, Sriperumbudur, Avadi and Gummidipoondi have been deployed at the accident site to contain the fire.
Meanwhile, the Southern Railway confirmed that the main line for passenger trains remains unaffected, even though some trains have been temporarily halted for safety. Emergency assistance centres have been set up at Chennai Central station. The Railways have also made arrangements for over 10 special buses between Tiruvallur, Chennai, and Arakkonam to assist stranded passengers.
In response to the accident, two National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams comprising 60 personnel in total have been dispatched from the Arakkonam base to assist with rescue operations.
Officials said that more than 44 of the 52 diesel tankers on the train have been safely detached and secured by railway personnel. The remaining tankers have suffered severe damage.
The Central Pollution Control Board has reported a moderate decline in air quality in Tiruvallur due to the combustion of fuel, with PM 2.5 levels rising to 13.6 µg/m³. PM2.5 refers to particulate matter that is 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter, a significant component of air pollution.
Southern Railway has initiated an internal inquiry into the incident. Rescue efforts and fire control measures are ongoing; no casualties have been reported yet.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil with inputs from Subash Chandra Bose.)
