At least 12 train passengers lost their lives in western India on Wednesday after being struck by another train while attempting to flee a rumored fire aboard their train, according to the Press Trust of India (PTI). The tragic incident occurred near the Pardhade railway station in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, approximately 410 kilometers (255 miles) from Mumbai.
The victims were passengers aboard the Pushpak Express, which had stopped after an emergency chain was pulled due to panic over sparks reportedly caused by a “hot axle” or “brake-binding,” according to railway officials. Believing there was a fire, several passengers jumped from the train and were struck by the Karnataka Express traveling on an adjacent track. At least six others were injured.
Despite ongoing government efforts to enhance railway safety, accidents remain frequent on India’s extensive rail network, which is the largest under single management in the world. This tragedy follows the deadly 2023 train collision in eastern India, which claimed over 280 lives and injured hundreds more.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has prioritized modernizing India’s colonial-era railway infrastructure, which is critical for the nation’s population of 1.42 billion. However, such incidents underscore the urgent need for improved safety protocols to protect passengers.
