In Tamil Nadu, the Bagmati Express train, running at a speed of 75 kmph, went into the ‘loop line’ instead of the main line on Friday and collided with a freight train parked there, injuring several passengers and setting a coach on fire. Railway officials.
National Desk: The Bagmati Express train, running at a speed of 75 kmph in Tamil Nadu, went into the ‘loop line’ instead of going to the main line on Friday and collided with a standing freight train, injuring 19 passengers and setting a coach on fire. Railway officials gave this information.
Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed grief over the incident and said that he is monitoring the rescue and relief operations. He said, “The government is doing relief and rescue work rapidly.” He said that the injured people are being taken to the hospital. The Railway Board has said that there is no news of any passenger’s death so far in the collision between the express train and the freight train in the Ponneri-Kavarapettai section of Chennai Railway Division.
Dilip Kumar, Executive Director, Information and Publicity Department, Railway Board, released a video message soon after the passenger train collided with the standing freight train and said, “We received information about the Bagmati Express colliding with a freight train at Kavarapettai station of Chennai Division. Rescue and relief teams immediately reached the accident site.”
Southern Railway said in a press release that train number 12578 Mysuru Dibrugarh Darbhanga Express with LHB coaches was given green signal to proceed after crossing Ponneri station in Tiruvallur district at 8.27 pm on October 11, but “while entering Kavarapettai station, the train crew got a sharp shock and instead of proceeding to the main line as per the specified signal, the train entered the ‘loop line’ at a speed of 75 kmph and collided with the stationary goods train.” It said the crew was safe and a coach caught fire, which was extinguished by fire tenders.
Railways said train movement has been suspended on the affected section of the railway track. It said, “12-13 coaches have derailed. There is no report of any death so far, but some people are reported to be injured. All the injured have been taken to nearby hospitals.”
Chief Minister Stalin said he has sent Minister Avadi Nasar and top officials to the spot. A separate team is working to ensure the onward journey and care of the passengers. The damaged coaches are being removed from the tracks by fire and rescue personnel, the Railways said. Senior government, railway officials, doctors, ambulances, rescue teams, a medical aid van and senior officials are present at the spot. He said, “… Most of the passengers have been evacuated safely.” Kavarapettai (near Ponneri) is located near Chennai in Tiruvallur district.
