At least 13 people have been confirmed dead after the Jalgaon train accident, and nearly 15 others sustained injuries. Eyewitnesses said a tea seller on the Pushpak Express had triggered panic among the passengers when he falsely said there was a fire on board. The vendor had pulled the emergency chain while dozens threw themselves off the train in apparent pandemonium. They were subsequently run over by the Karnataka Express plying on an adjacent track.
A tea vendor began the false rumour that the train caught fire. The man himself started pulling the emergency chain, and as the train slowed down, passengers started jumping out in their desperation to save their lives, an eyewitness is quoted by India Today.
It was a purely false rumour of fire
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar supported the claim Thursday too, as he said, “It’s a sheer rumour about fire.” He continued, “What started was this rumour and it was something after a tea vendor from the pantry shouting that the coach was catching fire.”.
“Two passengers from Shravasti in Uttar Pradesh heard it and conveyed the false alarm to others, leading to confusion and panic in their general coach and the adjoining one. Some of the scared passengers jumped off the train from both sides to save themselves,” Pawar said.
The Deputy CM said that people had begun to get down after one of the passengers had pulled the alarm chain and stopped the train. They were subsequently run over by the Karnataka Express on the adjacent track.”
The authorities said 10 of the dead have been identified so far — including four from Nepal. Pawar said that the two passengers who allegedly spread the rumour were among the ones injured in the tragedy.
“We found a small space between the two trains and we laid down there by tightly holding on to each other, hence survived,” recalled Shaukat Ali — a worker from Nepal.
Jalgaon Train Accident: Death toll likely to go up
The District Collector of Jalgaon said that three hospitals have been activated and all necessary measures are being taken.
“More SP, SP, Collector and everyone is on their way. We are coordinating with DRM and Railway officials. 8 ambulances reached the spot as per the last available information, and additional rescue vans of Railway and Railway ambulances are being rushed to the spot. Further details are awaited. As per the last report, 8 people have died. The numbers can rise. the administration is providing all possible help,” Divisional Commissioner of Nashik Praveen Gedam told ANI.
Officials from the railways have confirmed that the alarm chain was actually pulled on the Pushpak Express. They indicate that people had panicked upon seeing the smoke coming from a burning axle, thus pulling the chain and jumping off the train at the same time.
PUSHPAK TRAIN CRASH TODAY: PICTURES FROM HOSPITAL
“Our preliminary information is that there were sparks inside one of the coaches of Pushpak Express due to either `hot axle’ or `brake-binding’ (jamming), and some passengers panicked. They pulled the chain, and some of them jumped down on the tracks. At the same time, Karnataka Express was passing on the adjoining track,” a senior railway official told PTI.
“Senior officials are reaching the spot, after which more information will be available,” said Maharashtra minister Gulabrao Patil who is also the guardian minister of Jalgaon.
Jalgaon Train Accident Today: What political leaders said
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis tweeted, “The unfortunate incident near Pachora in Jalgaon district in which some people lost their lives is very painful. I pay my heartfelt tributes to them. Minister Girish Mahajan and the Superintendent of Police have reached the spot and the District Collector will soon reach there. The entire district administration is in coordination with the railway administration, and immediate treatment arrangements are being made for the injured.
Fadnavis added that eight ambulances have been dispatched. “The general hospital, as well as other nearby private hospitals, have been kept ready for the treatment of the injured. Emergency equipment like glass cutters, floodlights etc. have also been kept ready. We are monitoring the entire situation and all necessary assistance is being provided immediately. I am in touch with the district administration.”
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath condoled the Pushpak train accident. The CM has ordered adequate medical treatment for the injured and condoled the demise of passengers, informed Uttar Pradesh CMO.
What has happened in Jalgaon is very unfortunate,” said NCP leader Anil Deshmukh. “There was a fire rumour that had spread in the train. When people jumped off to save themselves from this rumour. They went to the opposite track where one train was approaching. They got crushed under another train. I wish to express condolence.”
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