Mirzapur, Nov 5: A tragic incident unfolded this morning at Chunar Railway Station in Mirzapur when the Kalka Express struck a group of pilgrims crossing the tracks, killing six and critically injuring two others. The accident occurred around 9:30 am as devotees were heading to the Ganga Ghat to take a holy dip on Kartik Purnima, an important day in the Hindu calendar.
According to reports, the passengers had arrived on a train from Chopan and, after disembarking at platform number 4, attempted to cross the tracks near platform 3. The high-speed Kalka Express, which was not scheduled to stop at Chunar, ran over the pilgrims before they could move to safety, resulting in a catastrophic accident.
Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) teams rushed to the site to manage the aftermath, removing the victims and sending the bodies for post-mortem examination. Investigations into the cause of the tragedy have been initiated.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the incident and extended condolences to the bereaved families. He directed officials to reach the scene immediately and ensure prompt relief operations. SDRF and NDRF teams have been deployed to assist with rescue and medical care for the injured.
Authorities have urged pilgrims and the public to exercise caution around railway tracks, emphasizing that accidents like this can be avoided with proper safety measures.