Jamtara train accident: 2 crushed to death, many injured in Jharkhand
The massive train accident in Jamtara took place at Jharkhand's Kalajharia railway station as a train ran over some passengers.
A major train accident took place in Jharkhand's Jamtara on Wednesday evening as a train ran over the passengers at the Kalajharia railway station. Several are feared dead though the exact number of deaths has not yet been confirmed, news agency ANI reported. Deputy commissioner of Jamtara said medical teams and ambulances have been rushed to the spot. “Pained by the mishap in Jamtara, Jharkhand. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi's office issued a statement.
"The news of sudden death of many people in a train accident in Jamtara district of Jharkhand is extremely saddening. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the speedy recovery of those injured," President Droupadi Murmu tweeted.
Jamtara MLA Irfan Ansari left for the accident site after he got to know about the mishap. "I have given the directions to identify those responsible for it. We will also raise the issue in the Assembly... The deceased have not been identified yet..." the MLA said.
According to a report, the passengers jumped onto the track after “there was a fire” and another train crushed them to death. Eastern Railway CPRO, however, denied the report of fire and said two persons who were walking on the track were run over by the train. These two were not passengers and were walking on the track. Mitra said a three-member committee has been formed to inquire into the incident.
Jamtara SDM Anant Kumar said those who were run over were passengers and they got down from one train and were crushed by another local train. "We are trying to set up a helpline so that the families can get information," Anant Kumar said.
Jharkhand chief minister Champai Soren expressed condolence over the incident. “Saddened by the sad news of the train accident near Kaljharia station of Jamtara. May God grant peace to the departed souls and give strength to the bereaved family to bear this difficult time of grief. The administration team is engaged in relief and rescue work on the spot. I wish a speedy recovery to those injured in the accident,” he posted on X.
How Jamtara train accident took place: Several accounts of fire rumours, stones on track
Jamtara Zila Parishad member Surendra Mandal who claimed to be an eyewitness of the train accident said stones were laid along the rack during the day, When the express train came on the track, there was a fire probably because of the stones. "It seems the emergency chain was pulled and passengers started getting down. A local train was coming on that track," Surendra Mandal said.
It is not yet known whether there was a fire or it was only a rumour of fire that led the passengers to get down from the express train.
Jamtara train accident: What is the official version?
The railways said: "While train number 12254 Anga Express passing between Vidyasagar Kasitar at km 269/19 stopped due to Alarm Chain Pulling (ACP) at 1900 hrs (7pm) at Asansol Division of Eastern Railway. At 19.07 (7.07pm) two persons who were walking on track ran over in an up line by MEMU train at least two kms away where the train stopped."
