In a devastating incident in Maharashtra, India, 11 passengers lost their lives when they jumped from their train due to supposed fire alerts, only to be hit by an approaching train on an adjacent track. The incident casts a shadow over India's railway modernization efforts, drawing attention to ongoing safety concerns.
Tragedy Strikes as Passengers Flee Train Rumors, Collision Claims Lives
Tragedy Strikes as Passengers Flee Train Rumors, Collision Claims Lives
At least 11 fatalities reported after train passengers, reacting to fire rumors, are struck by another train in Maharashtra.
In an unfortunate turn of events, at least 11 individuals have died and five others have been injured when they fled a Mumbai-bound train amidst speculation of a fire on board. The chaos erupted after a passenger pulled the emergency cord, prompting the train to make an unscheduled stop. In a tragic development, as these passengers evacuated, they were struck by a train traveling on a parallel track.
Railway officials are still investigating whether there indeed was a fire, as initial reports remain inconclusive. This incident unfolds against the backdrop of a $30 million initiative aimed at upgrading India's rail network, a project that has already faced criticism due to prior train accidents, including a catastrophic collision in Odisha that resulted in nearly 300 fatalities in 2023.
Maharashtra's Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis took to social media platform X to express his sorrow over the loss of lives, stating, “I am deeply saddened by this tragic loss.” He confirmed that eight ambulances were deployed to the crash site and that local hospitals were prepared to receive the injured.
This recent tragedy poses a significant setback for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's railway modernization program, a cornerstone of his vision to enhance infrastructure capabilities for boosting the economy and improving transportation connectivity. The upcoming budget, scheduled for next month, is expected to address spending increases on railway safety and modernization initiatives as the country grapples with the repercussions of this incident.
Railway officials are still investigating whether there indeed was a fire, as initial reports remain inconclusive. This incident unfolds against the backdrop of a $30 million initiative aimed at upgrading India's rail network, a project that has already faced criticism due to prior train accidents, including a catastrophic collision in Odisha that resulted in nearly 300 fatalities in 2023.
Maharashtra's Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis took to social media platform X to express his sorrow over the loss of lives, stating, “I am deeply saddened by this tragic loss.” He confirmed that eight ambulances were deployed to the crash site and that local hospitals were prepared to receive the injured.
This recent tragedy poses a significant setback for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's railway modernization program, a cornerstone of his vision to enhance infrastructure capabilities for boosting the economy and improving transportation connectivity. The upcoming budget, scheduled for next month, is expected to address spending increases on railway safety and modernization initiatives as the country grapples with the repercussions of this incident.
