Chhattisgarh Train Accident: Death Toll Rises to 11
Passenger train crashes into goods train after overshooting signal, rescue operations underway and inquiry ordered
Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh), Nov 5: The death toll in the tragic train collision near Bilaspur railway station has climbed to 11, while at least 20 others sustained injuries, officials confirmed on Wednesday.
The accident occurred around 4 pm on Tuesday when a MEMU (Mainline Electric Multiple Unit) passenger train travelling from Gevra to Bilaspur rammed into a stationary goods train from behind. The impact of the collision was so severe that one of the passenger coaches was lifted onto a wagon of the cargo train, railway officials said.
According to a statement issued by the Railways, “Eleven persons have lost their lives and 20 others were injured in the accident.” Relief and rescue operations were launched immediately, and the injured were shifted to Apollo Hospital and the Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS) in Bilaspur for treatment.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the passenger train may have overshot a red signal and collided with the goods train at a speed of 60–70 kmph. “It is a matter of investigation as to why the loco pilot failed to apply the emergency brake in time, even though the goods train was within visible distance,” a senior railway official said.
The loco pilot, Vidya Sagar, was among those killed, while the assistant loco pilot, Rashmi Raj, sustained serious injuries. The guard of the goods train managed to jump out of the brake van moments before the collision, suffering only minor injuries.
The railway administration has announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh each for the families of the deceased, ₹5 lakh for the seriously injured, and ₹1 lakh for those with minor injuries. A high level inquiry will be conducted by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) to determine the exact cause of the incident and recommend corrective measures.
Expressing grief over the tragedy, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai announced an additional ex-gratia of ₹5 lakh for the kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.
Authorities have urged passengers and families to contact the railway helpline for information and assistance as rescue efforts continue.
