While entering the Kavaraipettai station, the train crew experienced heavy jerk and instead of going into the main line it entered into the loop line and hit the stationary goods train.
At least 12 coaches of Mysuru-Darbhanga Bagmati Superfast Express derailed after the train collided with a stationary goods train near Chennai on Friday.
Additionally, a parcel van which was next to the engine caught fire, but was quickly doused off.
“Train no. 12578 Mysuru-Darbhanga Express had rear collision with goods train at Kavaraippettai Railway Station around 20.30 hrs in Chennai-Guddur section between Ponneri- Kavarappettai railway stations (46 km from Chennai) of Chennai Division…Due to this, parcel van which was next to the Engine caught fire, which was doused by Fire brigade. Total 12-13 coaches have derailed. So far, no casualties are reported. All injured passengers are moved to nearby hospitals for further treatment. Train movement in both direction is closed,” CPRO South Western Railway said in a statement.
#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: A passenger train from Mysore to Darbhanga collided with a goods train standing at Kavarappettai railway station near Thiruvallur. The relief and rescue work underway. pic.twitter.com/VEzD8YxkxB— ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2024
The incident took place at Kavarapettai, which comes under Chennai Railway Division, when train number 12578 Mysuru-Darbhanga Bagmati Superfast Express passed Ponneri station around 8:27 pm and was given green signal to run through at next station Kavaraipettai via the mainline. While entering the Kavaraipettai station, the train crew experienced heavy jerk and instead of going into the main line it entered into the loop line and hit the stationary goods train.
However, no causalities have been reported but a few passengers have been injured. All of them have been taken to nearby hospitals.
Tiruvallur district collector T Prabhushankar informed that local hospitals near Kavarapettai are on standby, while medical relief vans and rescue teams have been dispatched from Chennai Central to the site. Senior state officials and Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Chennai, Southern Railway have also rushed to the spot.
A few trains including Dhanbad-Alappuzha Express and Jabalpur-Madurai Superfast Special Train have been diverted. Meanwhile, alternative arrangements have been made to transport or accommodate the passengers.
#WATCH | First reaction of a local from the train accident site from Kavarappettai railway station near Thiruvallur as six coaches of a passenger train No.12578 travelling from Mysore to Darbhanga were derailed after it collided with a goods train. pic.twitter.com/flNxLKvL1O— ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2024
#WATCH | A local, Lokesh present at the spot says “The exact spot is Kavarappettai. A passenger train collided with a goods train which was standing. We are the people living nearby who have come here to the rescue. Officials are also present here” pic.twitter.com/cP0FixDWSL— ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2024
Railway officials, rescue teams, and medical personnel are working swiftly to ensure the safety and well-being of the passengers.
Emergency helpline numbers have been issued by the Railways for those seeking assistance. Chennai Division: 04425354151, 04424354995; Samastipur- 8102918840; Darbhanga- 8210335395; Danapur – 9031069105; DDU Junction- 7525039558.
State Govt Monitor Situation
Tamil Nadu Chief minister MK Stalin expressed grief over the tragic incident and said that state minister SM Nasar has been ordered to reach the accident spot to take a stock of situation.
“I was shocked to know that there was a train accident in Kavaripettai, Tiruvallur district. As soon as the information was available, I ordered the Hon’ble Minister @Avadi_Nasar and other government officials including the District Collector to go to the accident site. The government is working fast in rescue and relief work. The injured are immediately taken to the hospital. A separate team is functioning to arrange food and travel facilities for the other passengers to return home. The fire department is engaged in the work of removing the accident train coaches. I am continuing to monitor the rescue operations,” he said in a post on X.
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
Former Bihar deputy CM and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav also expressed his concern over the incident and urged the administration and railways to expedite rescue and relief operations.
मैसूर-दरभंगा के बीच चलने वाली बागमती एक्सप्रेस के चेन्नई डिवीजन के कवरापेट्टई रेलवे स्टेशन के पास मालगाड़ी से टकराने की दुःखद खबर प्राप्त हो रही है। प्रशासन और रेलवे से आग्रह है कि बचाव और राहत कार्यों में तेजी लाए। घायलों के शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की कामना करता हूँ। #TrainAccident— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) October 11, 2024
“Sad news is being received about the Bagmati Express running between Mysore-Darbhanga colliding with a goods train near Kavarapettai railway station of Chennai division. I urge the administration and railways to expedite rescue and relief operations. I wish for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he said in a post on X.
