Two persons lost their lives and 20 others sustained injuries when 18 coaches of the Howrah-Mumbai Mail derailed early this morning at the border between Jharkhand’s Seraikela-Kharsawan and West Singhbhum districts. The accident occurred at 3:45 am near Barabamboo, approximately 50 kilometers from Jamshedpur. The area falls under the jurisdiction of the Chakradharpur Division of the South Eastern Railway.
West Singhbhum Deputy Commissioner Kuldeep Chaudhary said that that the passenger train collided with the stationary goods train.
Emergency response units, including a National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team, are actively conducting rescue operations at the site. The derailment involved 18 coaches of the 12810 Howrah-Mumbai Mail via Nagpur train, including 16 passenger coaches, a power car, and a pantry car. The injured have been transported to medical facilities in Chakradharpur for treatment.
Eyewitnesses recount scenes of chaos and distress as passengers were jolted awake by the sudden derailment. "We were all asleep when we felt a massive jolt. It was terrifying; people were screaming and trying to find their way out of the derailed coaches," said one survivor, still shaken by the ordeal.
Railway authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident. Preliminary reports suggest that the stationary goods train may have played a role in the derailment of the Howrah-Mumbai Mail. "We are examining all possible angles, including signaling errors and track conditions, to ascertain the cause of this unfortunate incident," said a senior Railway official.
The accident site presented significant challenges for rescue operations, with several coaches overturned and others precariously balanced on the tracks. Local residents, alongside NDRF personnel, worked tirelessly to assist in evacuating passengers and providing first aid to the injured.
“This tragic accident has once again highlighted the pressing need for stringent safety measures and maintenance protocols in India's vast railway network. As the rescue operations continue, authorities are urging the public to avoid the accident site to allow emergency services to function efficiently,” said an official of Chotanagpur Passenger Association.
Ex-Gratia Payments to Victims
The Railways today provided ex-gratia payments to the victims' families and injured passengers. The mishap occurred in the early hours, under the jurisdiction of the South Eastern Railway’s Chakradharpur division, resulting in the deaths of two passengers and injuries to several others.
Railway officials confirmed that Rs 10 lakh was disbursed to the kin of each of the deceased passengers. The victims were identified as P. Bikash from Railway Colony, Rourkela, and Ajit Kumar Samal from Malgodown, Rourkela. The compensation was handed over to their families this afternoon.
In addition to the payments to the families of the deceased, ex-gratia compensation was provided to the injured passengers. Those who sustained grievous injuries received Rs 5 lakh each, while passengers with minor injuries were compensated with Rs 1 lakh each. A total of eight injured passengers, currently admitted to Chakradharpur Railway Hospital, received these payments.
Special Arrangements for Passengers
In response to the derailment, South Eastern Railway implemented special measures to assist passengers. A special bus service was arranged to transport passengers from the derailment site. Additionally, a relief train carried stranded passengers to Chakradharpur station. Injured passengers were swiftly moved to Chakradharpur Railway Hospital and CHC Khutpani for medical treatment.
Impact on Train Services
The derailment caused significant disruption to train services, with over 60 mail, express, and passenger trains being cancelled. Approximately 30 trains were rerouted to ensure the safety and convenience of passengers. Railway officials from Chakradharpur stated that the movement of trains on the Howrah-Mumbai trunk route was completely paralyzed following the mishap at around 3:40 am.
