18 Coaches of Mumbai-Bound Express Derail After Colliding with Goods Train, Two Dead
News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/30th July 2024
On Tuesday morning, a tragic railway accident in Jharkhand claimed the lives of at least two passengers and left six others injured when 18 coaches of the Howrah-CSMT Express derailed following a collision with a goods train. The catastrophic incident occurred around 3:45 AM in Bara Bambu village, located near Chakradharpur.
The derailment has resulted in significant disruptions, with 16 passenger coaches, one power car, and one pantry car involved. The collision and subsequent derailment have caused widespread damage, including the destruction of several houses and infrastructure, while also impacting nearby water bodies and vegetation. Rescue operations are ongoing, with emergency teams working to assist those affected and retrieve victims from the wreckage.
Salman, a spokesperson for the South Eastern Railways (SER), reported that a nearby goods train also derailed, though it remains unclear if this incident is related to the collision. The Indian Railways has confirmed that the Howrah-Mumbai Mail, comprising 22 coaches, derailed in the Chakradharpur division.
In response to the disaster, the Railways have announced compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 5 lakh for those with serious injuries. Medical aid is being provided to the injured at Barabamboo, and efforts are underway to transfer them to Chakradharpur for advanced treatment.
The derailment has led to significant disruptions in train services, with three trains being canceled, and one each being short-terminated and diverted. The affected services include the Howrah-Kantabanji Ispat Express, Kharagpur-Dhanbad Express, and Howrah-Barbil Express, while the South Bihar Express was rerouted and the Asansol Tata Memu Pass Special Train was short-terminated at Adra.
Indian Railways has issued helplines for those seeking information or assistance. The contact numbers are available for various stations, including Tatanagar, Chakradharpur, Rourkela, Howrah, Ranchi, and others.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her condolences on social media, questioning the state of railway governance in light of the recurring accidents. She criticized the government for its perceived failure to address the safety issues leading to such disasters, calling for urgent reforms and expressing sympathy for the victims’ families.
This derailment adds to a series of rail accidents that have plagued India’s railway network, highlighting ongoing concerns about infrastructure and safety. The accident also underscores the need for improved measures to prevent such tragedies and ensure the safety of passengers traveling across the country.
