19 Injured in Bagmati Express Derailment: High-Level Probe Launched
Chennai: A serious incident occurred on the night of October 11 when the Bagmati Express (Train No 12578) derailed at Kavaraipettai, resulting in 19 passengers being admitted to local hospitals. Among the injured, four individuals are reported to be in critical condition.
In response to the accident, Southern Railway has initiated a high-level investigation to determine the causes of the derailment. The Bagmati Express, which operates between Mysuru and Darbhanga in Bihar, collided with a stationary goods train around 8:30 PM, leading to the derailment of 12 coaches and a subsequent fire in a parcel van, which was later extinguished by fire and rescue services.
Preliminary reports indicate that the derailment was due to a signal failure. According to railway sources, the Mysuru-Darbhanga Express had been given a green signal to proceed on the main line but instead entered a loop line at a speed of 75 km/h, colliding with the rear of the goods train.
The train had just crossed Ponneri railway station at 8:27 PM when the crew experienced a sudden jerk. Rather than following the signal, the train inadvertently entered the loop line, resulting in the collision.
Southern Railway officials confirmed that the train crew escaped unharmed and that the fire in the parcel van was successfully contained. Although there were no reported fatalities, the injured passengers were promptly transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The derailment has caused disruptions to train movement in both directions on that section of the railway, necessitating alternative arrangements for affected passengers.
This incident has drawn comparisons to the tragic Balasore train derailment in Odisha on June 2, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 290 passengers and injuries to over 900 others. The Southern Railway’s commitment to investigating this latest accident underscores the ongoing challenges faced in ensuring railway safety and the importance of addressing potential signal failures.
