Key Takeaways
- Eight killed, 14 injured in train collision near Bilaspur
- MEMU passenger train hit stationary goods train at 4 pm
- Rescue operations ongoing; compensation announced for victims
At least eight people, including the loco pilot, died and 14 others were injured when a passenger train collided with a stationary goods train in Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur district on Tuesday evening.
The Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) train from Gevra Road to Raigarh rammed into the goods train’s guard compartment around 4 pm under the South East Central Railway zone.
Rescue Operations Underway
Bilaspur Collector Sanjay Agrawal confirmed eight fatalities and expressed concerns that “two to three others are still feared trapped inside the wreckage.” Rescue teams are working to evacuate them.
Injured passengers have been admitted to Apollo Hospital and Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS) in Bilaspur, with one reported in critical condition.
Casualties and Impact
Loco pilot Vidya Sagar died in the accident, while assistant loco pilot Rashmi Raj sustained serious injuries. The goods train guard jumped to safety moments before impact, suffering minor injuries.
The front two coaches of the passenger train, including a women’s reserved bogie, suffered severe damage. Gas cutters were required to extricate bodies from the mangled wreckage.
Passenger Accounts and Response
Passengers described experiencing a sudden jolt with a loud noise that threw many off their seats. Local residents were first to respond, followed by railway officials and medical teams.
The collision caused derailment of several coaches, disrupting rail traffic for hours along the route.
Compensation and Investigation
Indian Railways has announced compensation of ₹10 lakh for families of the deceased, ₹5 lakh for seriously injured, and ₹1 lakh for minor injuries.
A team from the Commissioner of Railway Safety will investigate the cause of the collision, though the exact reason remains undetermined.
(Additional inputs from PTI)
