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Eleven people were killed after a fire rumour on a train crossing Maharashtra's Jalgaon triggered panic among passengers, with several of them jumping off the train and getting hit by another, said the police. The death count was confirmed to News Agency by Jalgaon's Superintendent of Police.
The accident took place between Maheji and Pardhade stations near Pachora, 400 km away from Mumbai, where the Lucknow-Mumbai Pushpak Express, a Daily Superfast Express train that runs between Lucknow to Mumbai, had halted after someone pulled the chain due to a rumour of fire around 5 pm, Central Railway officials said.
Some passengers of the Pushpak Express stepped down, and were hit by the oncoming Karnataka Express, heading from Bengaluru to Delhi, said Central Railway's chief spokesperson Swapnil Nila.
"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 news agency PTI.
An accident relief train has been dispatched from Bhusaval, said the Central Railway, adding that all efforts are being made to provide medical aid to the injured passengers.
Harrowing images showed bodies lying on tracks and some people wandering around with blood all over them.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis mourned the loss of lives, adding that he is in touch with the district administration and all assistance is being provided.
"The loss of lives in the unfortunate incident near Pachora in Jalgaon district is deeply distressing. I express my condolences to the families of those killed. My colleague, minister Girish Mahajan, and the Superintendent of Police have reached the spot, and the District Collector will reach there shortly," Mr Fadnavis posted on X in Marathi.
"The entire district administration is working in coordination with the railway administration, and immediate arrangements are being made for the treatment of the injured. Eight ambulances have been dispatched. The general hospital as well as other nearby private hospitals have been kept ready for the treatment of the injured. Emergency equipment like glass cutters, floodlights etc. have also been kept ready. We are monitoring the entire situation and all necessary assistance is being provided immediately. I am in touch with the district administration," the Chief Minister added.
Maharashtra minister Gulabrao Patil, who is also the guardian minister of Jalgaon, said senior officials are reaching the spot.