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No fewer than 13 passengers have died, and five others injured in a tragic incident in India’s Maharashtra state.
The victims were struck by a train on an adjacent track after they disembarked their Mumbai-bound train due to rumours of a fire on board, railway officials reported.
The incident occurred near Pachora in Jalgaon district, approximately 400 km from Mumbai. The train came to an emergency halt after someone pulled the emergency cord, prompting passengers to flee in panic. It remains unclear whether a fire had actually broken out.
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India’s rail network, despite recent modernisation efforts, continues to suffer from safety concerns.
A $30 billion (£24 billion) programme has been launched to enhance the railway infrastructure, but accidents persist. Notably, a catastrophic three-train collision in Odisha in 2023 claimed nearly 300 lives.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed his grief over the incident in a statement on X, saying he was “deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives.”
He confirmed that eight ambulances were dispatched and local hospitals were on standby to treat the injured.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has previously stated the need for railway modernisation to improve safety, connectivity, and economic growth.
Incidents like this underline the ongoing challenges facing the country’s railway system.
Amit Shah, the Interior Minister of India, offered his deepest condolences to the families of the victims, conveying his sadness at the tragic loss. Maharashtra’s Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, described the incident as “deeply disturbing,” echoing the widespread shock and grief felt across the state.
“Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives,” he said in a post on X.
India has launched a $30 billion railway infrastructure modernisation in a bid to boost the economy and connectivity.
But analysts say that while the number of accidents has gone down over time, India’s antiquated rail system still has a long way to go.
An average of 20,000 people died each year between 2017 and 2021 in rail accidents, according to official records.
