Tragic train collision in central India kills eleven.
NEW DELHI (AP): A devastating train collision in central India has claimed at least 11 lives and left dozens injured, after a passenger train rammed into a stationary cargo train late Tuesday night. The tragic incident occurred near Bilaspur, around 115 kilometers northeast of Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh, casting a dark shadow over the region’s bustling railway network.
According to senior government official Sanjay Agarwal, the local passenger train collided with the rear of the cargo train with immense force, causing one of the passenger coaches to ride up and crash onto a wagon from the freight train. The violent impact crumpled steel, shattered glass, and trapped passengers inside the mangled coaches as rescue teams rushed to the scene under floodlights.
“The rescue operation was long and painstaking,” Agarwal said. “Our teams worked for hours to bring the overturned coach down safely to the ground. When we finally managed to cut it open using heavy iron cutters, we found three more bodies inside.”
The rescue operation concluded in the early hours of Wednesday morning, after teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local authorities worked through the night. Ambulances ferried the injured to nearby hospitals, while officials coordinated efforts to clear debris and restore rail movement on the busy route. Train services have since resumed through the affected section, though delays are expected.
Among the dead was the locomotive driver of the passenger train, who reportedly died on the spot due to the impact. His co-pilot, a woman, was critically injured and has been admitted to a private hospital in Bilaspur. Officials described her condition as serious but stable.
At least 20 passengers suffered injuries ranging from fractures to head trauma. “Many of the injured are recovering, but some remain in critical condition,” Agarwal said, adding that doctors and railway officials are ensuring all necessary medical support.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and disbelief. “There was a loud crash, and everything went dark,” said one survivor who was in the second coach. “People were screaming, trying to break windows to get out. The rescuers came quickly, but it felt like forever.”
In a statement, Indian Railways expressed deep condolences and said an inquiry has been launched to determine the cause of the accident. Preliminary reports suggest that a signal failure or human error may have contributed to the collision, though officials have yet to confirm any details.
The national railway network also announced financial assistance for victims’ families — ₹10 lakh (about USD 12,000) for the families of those killed, ₹2.5 lakh for those seriously injured, and ₹50,000 for passengers with minor injuries.
As the sun rose over Bilaspur, the site of the tragedy bore silent witness to the wreckage — twisted tracks, overturned coaches, and the lingering scent of diesel and smoke. Families of passengers arrived in anguish, searching for loved ones. Amid the grief and loss, one message from rescuers stood out: “We did everything we could — but the pain of lives lost will stay with us.”