R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, OCT 11
Mysuru-Darbhanga Bhagmati Express train collided with the rear of a stationary goods train at Kavaraipettai railway station in Tamil Nadu on Friday. A fire broke out in two coaches, and at least 13 coaches derailed. While several passengers sustained injuries, no fatalities have been reported.
- A parcel van went up in flames and at least 13 coaches have derailed with no casualties reported as of now;
- Helpline numbers: Chennai Division: 04425354151, 04424354995; Samastipur: 06274-81029188; Darbhanga: 06272-821033539
- Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin directs Health Department to keep hospitals in Chennai also on standby
Additionally, a parcel van which was next to the engine caught fire, but was quickly doused off.
“Train no. 12578 Mysuru-Darbhanga Express had rear collision with goods train at Kavaraippettai Railway Station around 20.30 hrs in Chennai-Guddur section between Ponneri- Kavarappettai railway stations (46 km from Chennai) of Chennai Division…Due to this, parcel van which was next to the Engine caught fire, which was doused by Fire brigade. Total 12-13 coaches have derailed. So far, no casualties are reported. All injured passengers are moved to nearby hospitals for further treatment. Train movement in both direction is closed,” CPRO South Western Railway said in a statement.
The incident took place at Kavarapettai, which comes under Chennai Railway Division, when train number 12578 Mysuru-Darbhanga Bagmati Superfast Express passed Ponneri station around 8:27 pm and was given green signal to run through at next station Kavaraipettai via the mainline. While entering the Kavaraipettai station, the train crew experienced heavy jerk and instead of going into the main line it entered into the loop line and hit the stationary goods train.
However, no causalities have been reported but a few passengers have been injured. All of them have been taken to nearby hospitals.
This mishap is attributed to a signal malfunction, prompting immediate action from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams who were dispatched to the scene.
TN Minister Naser, Chief Secretary Muruganantham, IG North Zone Asra Garg IPS and other senior officials are on their way to the spot to oversee rescue operations.
CM MK Stalin has directed Health Department to keep hospitals in Chennai also on standby.
Arrangements being made to shift grievously injured patients to Chennai hospitals.
Tiruvallur district collector T Prabhushankar informed that local hospitals near Kavarapettai are on standby, while medical relief vans and rescue teams have been dispatched from Chennai Central to the site. Senior state officials and Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Chennai, Southern Railway have also rushed to the spot.
A few trains, including Tamil Nadu Express bound to Delhi from Chennai Central, have been diverted or cancelled. Meanwhile, alternative arrangements have been made to transport or accommodate the passengers.
The following trains are diverted due to train accident of Train No 12578 Mysuru – Darbhanga Bagmati Express
Passengers are requested to kindly take note on this and plan your travel #SouthernRailway pic.twitter.com/awhrkeTBow
— Southern Railway (@GMSRailway) October 11, 2024
“Train No.13351 Dhanbad – Alappuzha that left Dhanbad at 11.35 hrs from Dhanbad on 10th October is diverted to run via Renigunta – Melapalayam – Katpadi,duly skipping stoppages at Nayudupetta, Sulurupettah, Dr MGR Chennai Central and Arakkonam Train No.02122 Jabalpur – Madurai Superfast Special that left Jabalpur at 16.25 hrs on 10th October 2024 is diverted to run via Renigunta, Melapalayam – Chengalpattu, duly skipping stoppages at Chennai Egmore and Tambaram,” said a Southern Railway release.
Other diverted trains
- Train No.12621 Dr MGR Chennai Central – Tamil Nadu Express that left at 22.00 hrs today 11th October 2024 is diverted to run via Arakkonam – Renigunta to Vijayawada
- Train No.18190 Ernakulam – Tatanagar Express that left at 07.15 hrs from Ernakulam on 11th October 2024 is diverted to run via Melapalayam – Arakkonam – Renigunta
- Train No.12664 Tiruchchirappalli – Howrah Superfast Express that left Tiruchchirapalli at 13.35 hrs on 11th October 2024 is diverted to run via Melapalayam – Arakkonam – Renigunta
- Train No.07696 Ramanathapuram – Secunderabad Express Special that left Ramanathapuram at 09.50 hrs on 11th October 2024 is diverted to run via Arakkonam – Renigunta
- Train No.06063 Coimbatore – Dhanbad Express Special that left Coimbatore Jn at 11.50 hrs on 11th October 2024 is diverted to run via Melapalayam – Arakkonam – Renigunta
“We’re moving all passengers by EMU to Chennai Central, and a fresh train has been readied at Chennai to take them further to Darbhanga/other destinations, including free food/water /snacks,” the statement added.
Due to the accident, three trains are stopped in the Chennai Gudur section, plans are being made to run through the diverted route.
- Tiruchirappalli Howrah Express
- Ernakulam Tatanagar Express
- Kakinada Dhanbad Special Express
Railway officials, rescue teams, and medical personnel are working swiftly to ensure the safety and well-being of the passengers.
Emergency helpline numbers have been issued by the Railways for those seeking assistance. Chennai Division: 04425354151, 04424354995; Samastipur: 06274-81029188; Darbhanga: 06272-8210335395.
