Chhattisgarh Rail Crash near Bilaspur: 11 Dead, 20 Injured
Chhattisgarh Rail Crash near Bilaspur: 11 Dead, 20 Injured
A MEMU passenger train collided with a stationary goods train near Bilaspur, killing 11 and injuring 20 as rescue teams rush to the scene.
A MEMU passenger train bound for Bilaspur from Gevra collided with a stationary goods train near Bilaspur railway station on Tuesday afternoon, officials said. The death toll has risen to 11, with around 20 people injured as rescue teams rushed to the wreck site. The impact was so severe that a coach of the passenger train ended up on top of a wagon in the cargo rake.
Railway officials said the passenger train hit the goods train from behind at a speed of 60-70 kmph after overshooting a red signal. Loco pilot Vidya Sagar was among the deceased, and assistant loco pilot Rashmi Raj sustained serious injuries; the guard of the goods train also had minor injuries.
Relief and rescue operations were launched immediately, with the injured treated at Apollo Hospital and the Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences in Bilaspur. In a relief measure, railway authorities announced ₹10 lakh compensation to the kin of each deceased. Investigations will probe the signal overshoot and why emergency braking was not applied in time. Officials noted that more details would emerge as inquiries continue.
Cover image source: Bilaspur train accident death toll rises to 11, ₹5 lakh ex gratia announced 🔗
