12 dead after passengers jump off from Pushpak Express amid rumors of fire

Pushpak Express accident: At least 12 passengers were mauled down by Karnataka express on the track after they got down from another train

Maharashtra train accident: In a tragic update from Maharashtra, at least twelve passengers were reportedly mauled down by Karnataka express on the track after they got down from another train named the Pushpak Express amid rumors of fire and chain pulling.

The accident took place near Pachora station, where Pushpak Express had halted after someone pulled the chain due to a rumour of fire on board around 5 pm. Some passengers of the Pushpak Express stepped down, and were hit by the oncoming Karnataka Express, said Central Railway’s chief spokesperson Swapnil Nila. The accident spot is more than 400 km away from Mumbai.

Passengers hit by Karnataka Express

Some passengers of the Pushpak Express stepped down, and were hit by the oncoming Karnataka Express, said Central Railway’s chief spokesperson Swapnil Nila. Six to eight persons died in the accident, a district official told news agency PTI.

“Our preliminary information is that there were sparks inside one of the coaches of Pushpak Express due to either `hot axle’ or `brake-binding’ (jamming), and some passengers panicked. They pulled the chain, and some of them jumped down on the tracks. At the same time, Karnataka Express was passing on the adjoining track,” a senior railway official told PTI.

“Senior officials are reaching the spot, after which more information will be available,” said Maharashtra minister Gulabrao Patil who is also the guardian minister of Jalgaon.

(With inputs from agencies)