Many dead in Maharashtra train accident after passengers jump off train over fire rumors

Several passengers lost their lives in a tragic accident in North Maharashtra's Jalgaon district on Wednesday evening.

The incident occurred after passengers, fearing a fire onboard, stepped off the Lucknow-Mumbai Pushpak Express, only to be run over by the Karnataka Express, which was traveling in the opposite direction on adjacent tracks.

Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan stated that 10 to 12 people had died, based on information from the district collector. The accident took place between Maheji and Pardhade stations, near Pachora, when the Pushpak Express came to a halt around 5 pm after someone pulled the chain due to rumors of a fire.

Central Railway spokesperson Swapnil Nila confirmed that the passengers of Pushpak Express, believing there was a fire, stepped down onto the tracks and were hit by the oncoming Karnataka Express traveling from Bengaluru to Delhi.

The train accident occurred more than 400 km away from Mumbai. According to preliminary information from railway officials, sparks from one of the Pushpak Express coaches, possibly caused by a "hot axle" or "brake-binding," led to the panic.

Passengers, fearing the worst, pulled the emergency chain, and some jumped off. At the same time, the Karnataka Express was passing through the area, tragically resulting in the deaths.

Maharashtra’s guardian minister for Jalgaon, Gulabrao Patil, confirmed that senior railway officials were en route to the accident site, and further details would follow after the investigation.