Though officials say that a few compartments caught fire and several were injured, they don't know yet if there are any fatalities. What caused the train accident?
Published Oct 12, 2024 | 12:38 AM ⚊ Updated Oct 12, 2024 | 3:32 PM
Train accident recovery in Kavarapettai: Majority of injured passengers released
About 12 coaches of an express train with passengers, heading to Andhra Pradesh from Chennai on Friday, 11 October derailed after it collided with a goods train in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvallur district.
While several are believed to have sustained injuries and admitted to nearby hospitals, it will be a while before authorities can confirm if there were any fatalities in the tragic accident.
The accident occurred near the Kavaraipettai railway station in the Thiruvallur district when the express train heading towards Andhra Pradesh collided with a stationary goods train. Subsequently, two compartments were engulfed in flames.
The express train was going from Mysore to Darbhanga when the accident took place and as a result, 12 including four AC compartments derailed. The accident occurred near the railway station, which helped smoothen the time it took to launch rescue operations.
In the aftermath of the accident, two of the compartments caught fire, which prompted the fire department to rush to the scene and rescue efforts to assist people is underway.
According to sources, about 10 injured passengers have been admitted to nearby hospitals where they are undergoing treatment.
According to official reports, the train – 12578 Mysore-Darbhanga Bagmati Express – collided with the goods train, which was stationary at Kavaraipettai near Chennai around 8.30 pm on Friday.
Meanwhile, Tiruvallur district Collector Prabhushankar told that the accident occurred because the express train crashed into the rear of a stationary goods train on the tracks. He also mentioned that nearby hospitals are on standby as a precautionary measure.
Even as the fire was raging on when this copy was getting published, firefighters are working tirelessly to contain the blaze. Meanwhile, railway officials from Gummidipoondi and Ponneri, as well as railway security forces from Korukkupet, have rushed to the scene. But firefighters are struggling to put off the fire because of it being dark.
Due to the accident that was unexpected, the Nilgiri Express – set to depart from Chennai Central – has not yet departed.
According to reports emerging from the scene, several AC coaches were severely damaged, and many passengers sustained injuries. They were rushed to the government hospital in Ponneri and other private medical facilities nearby for treatment.
Authorities have made requests for additional ambulances while district authorities have been urged to expedite transport arrangements for the stranded passengers.
Senior railway officials, including Thiruvallur District Collector Prabu Shankar and Superintendent of Police Srinivasa Perumal, have arrived at the scene. Local firefighters, along with the help of residents in the area, are working tirelessly to extinguish the blaze and clear debris. Only after the compartments are fully cleared it will be possible to assess if there are any fatalities.
According to preliminary investigation, the accident took place due to failure in signal. Officials including top cops from the district have arrived at the scene to assess the situation and take appropriate action.
Amid the chaos, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin took to X to express his shock over the unforeseen accident. He wrote, “As soon as I came to know of the accident, I asked Minister SM Nasar and other government officials including the District Collector to visit the accident site. The government is working fast to ensure everyone is rescued and the injured people are being taken to hospitals. A separate team is working to ensure food and travel needs of the passengers are met.”
திருவள்ளூர் மாவட்டம் கவரைப்பேட்டையில் இரயில் விபத்து நடந்ததை அறிந்து அதிர்ச்சியடைந்தேன்.
தகவல் கிடைக்கப்பெற்றவுடன், மாண்புமிகு அமைச்சர் @Avadi_Nasar அவர்களையும் மற்றும் மாவட்ட ஆட்சியர் உள்ளிட்ட அரசு அதிகாரிகளையும் விபத்து நடந்த இடத்திற்குச் செல்ல உத்தரவிட்டேன்.
மீட்பு மற்றும்…
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) October 11, 2024
Meanwhile, South Western Railways have set up war room and help desk to take care of the injure passengers. A war room with a helpline has been set up in the Bengaluru Control room.
#Karnataka: South Western Railways sets up war room & help desk over the #Mysuru-Darbhanga Express train accident at #Bengaluru.
A war room with a helpline has been set up in the Bengaluru Control room.
The SWR has set up a help desk at the Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mandya and… pic.twitter.com/wFa6wL5D0a
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) October 11, 2024
Deputy Chief Minister Udayanidhi Stalin said “The Union Government should stop the series of train accidents.”
Due to heavy rains in the area where the accident took place, the rescue work has become difficult.There has been difficulty in removing derailed coaches and laying new tracks. It is expected that rescue operations will be completed by this evening and train traffic will be restored.
It is noteworthy that the Meteorological Department has informed that there is a possibility of rain in Tiruvallur district in the next 3 hours.
(Edited by Neena with inputs Nitika K Shivani)
