Photo : PTI
12 passengers died and 15 others were injured after a false fire alarm caused panic onboard the Mumbai-bound Pushpak Express on the evening of January 22. Passengers, fearing for their lives, jumped off the stationary train only to be struck by another train, the Karnataka Express, on the adjacent tracks.
The incident occurred between Maheji and Pardhade stations near Pachora in Jalgaon district, Maharashtra, around 4:45 pm, when someone pulled the emergency chain to stop the train. Chaos unfolded as passengers mistook sparks and smoke for a fire inside the coach, prompting them to flee.
How It All Unfolded
Officials have confirmed there was no actual fire on the train. Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information and Publicity at the Railway Board, stated: “Based on the information that we have received, no spark or any fire was noticed in the coach.” Preliminary investigations suggest the sparks could have been caused by a “hot axle” or “brake-binding” (jamming).
Passengers described the terrifying moments leading up to the tragedy. A traveller told a Marathi news channel, “Panic gripped passengers after some of them saw sparks flying from the wheels of the train when brakes were applied. Some passengers pulled the emergency chain and got down on the tracks, leading to the tragedy.”
The railway authorities, while talking to Times Now explained, “After the Pushpak Express was stopped due to the alarm chain being pulled, the driver of the train turned on the flasher light as per the rules. The driver of the Karnataka Express also noticed the flasher light and applied the brakes. However, a curvature of almost two degrees obstructed visibility and reduced the braking distance. The curvature also hindered the passengers’ visibility of the train. Despite this, the pilots did their best to avoid the incident.”
Residents of nearby villages rushed to the scene to help, but the sight was deeply distressing. A resident of Pachora said, “We saw the headless body of a man. A woman was inconsolable after her husband lost his life in the accident, his body badly mangled.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow, stating, “Anguished by the tragic accident on the railway tracks in Jalgaon, Maharashtra. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the speedy recovery of all the injured. Authorities are providing all possible assistance to those affected.”
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, speaking from Davos, called the incident “deeply distressing” and announced financial aid of ₹5 lakh each to the families of the deceased. The Railway Board has also promised Rs 1.5 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased, Rs 50,000 for those with serious injuries, and Rs 5,000 for those with minor injuries.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, “The train accident in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, is extremely sad. I spoke to Chief Minister Shri @Dev_Fadnavis ji in this regard and took stock of the situation arising after the accident.”
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, also in Davos for the World Economic Forum, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and directed officials to ensure proper treatment for the injured.
Residents of nearby villages rushed to the scene to help, but the sight was deeply distressing. A resident of Pachora said, “We saw the headless body of a man. A woman was inconsolable after her husband lost his life in the accident, his body badly mangled.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow, stating, “Anguished by the tragic accident on the railway tracks in Jalgaon, Maharashtra. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the speedy recovery of all the injured. Authorities are providing all possible assistance to those affected.”
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, speaking from Davos, called the incident “deeply distressing” and announced financial aid of ₹5 lakh each to the families of the deceased. The Railway Board has also promised Rs 1.5 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased, Rs 50,000 for those with serious injuries, and Rs 5,000 for those with minor injuries.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, “The train accident in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, is extremely sad. I spoke to Chief Minister Shri @Dev_Fadnavis ji in this regard and took stock of the situation arising after the accident.”
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, also in Davos for the World Economic Forum, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and directed officials to ensure proper treatment for the injured.