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12 people lost their lives after a fire rumor aboard a train in Maharashtra's Jalgaon led to panic among passengers. Many passengers jumped from the train and were struck by another train, police confirmed. The death toll was verified and confirmed by Jalgaon’s Superintendent of Police, Maheswar Reddy, to NDTV.
This tragic incident occurred between Maheji and Pardhade stations near Pachora which is located 400 km from Mumbai, where the Lucknow-Mumbai Pushpak Express had stopped after someone pulled the emergency chain, fearing a fire around 5 pm, according to the Central Railway officials.
Some of the passengers disembarked from the Pushpak Express and were hit by the oncoming Karnataka Express while traveling from Bengaluru to Delhi, said Swapnil Nila, the chief spokesperson for Central Railway.
“Our preliminary information is that there were sparks inside one of the coaches of Pushpak Express due to either 'hot axle' or 'brake-binding' (jamming), and some passengers panicked. They pulled the chain, and some of them jumped down on the tracks. At the same time, Karnataka Express was passing on the adjoining track,” one senior railway official told news agency PTI.
A relief train has been sent from Bhusaval, stated Central Railway, adding that all efforts are being made to provide medical help to those injured. Sensitive images showed bodies lying on the tracks, with some survivors covered in blood.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis expressed his condolences, noting that he was in contact with district authorities and ensuring all important assistance was being provided.
"The loss of lives in the unfortunate incident near Pachora in Jalgaon district is deeply distressing. I express my condolences to the families of those killed. My colleague, minister Girish Mahajan, and the Superintendent of Police have reached the spot, and the District Collector will reach there shortly," Mr Fadnavis posted on twitter in Marathi.
"The entire district administration is working in coordination with the railway administration, and immediate arrangements are being made for the treatment of the injured. Eight ambulances have been dispatched. The general hospital as well as other nearby private hospitals have been kept ready for the treatment of the injured. Emergency equipment like glass cutters, floodlights etc. have also been kept ready. We are monitoring the entire situation and all necessary assistance is being provided immediately. I am in touch with the district administration," the Chief Minister elaborated.
Maharashtra minister Gulabrao Patil, who is also the guardian minister of Jalgaon, stated that senior officials are en route to the tragic scene.