Jalgaon train accident: 13 dead as passengers jump off Pushpak Express after rumour of a fire, run over by incoming Karnataka Express

JALGAON, India, Jan 22 – At least 13 passengers were killed and 10 others injured when they were struck by an oncoming train after jumping off the Mumbai-bound Pushpak Express in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district on Wednesday evening, officials said.
The accident occurred near Pachora, between Maheji and Pardhane stations, after a chain-pulling incident caused the Pushpak Express to make an emergency stop. Sparks generated by the emergency braking led to panic among passengers in the general compartment, who feared a fire and jumped from the train, officials said.
The passengers were struck by the Karnataka Express, traveling on adjacent tracks at over 130 km/h.
“The friction from the brakes caused sparks to fly from the tracks. Passengers, fearing the train had caught fire, jumped from both exits,” Jalgaon Guardian Minister Gulabrao Patil said.

Jalgaon District Collector Ayush Prasad confirmed that the deceased included nine men and three women, three of whom were Nepal nationals. Six bodies have been identified so far, including those of the Nepalese citizens.
Among the injured, four remain in critical condition, Prasad said.

A senior Railway official said a curve in the tracks impaired visibility at the site, preventing the Karnataka Express driver from braking in time. The Pushpak Express driver had activated flasher lights as per protocol, but the curvature hindered their effectiveness.

The Railways confirmed that there was no fire aboard the Pushpak Express. Dr. Swapnil Nila, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of Central Railways, said, “Amidst a chain-pulling incident on the Pushpak Express, several passengers got off the train and were tragically struck by the passing Karnataka Express. The exact cause of the alarm chain-pulling is still being investigated.”
Local authorities are working to identify the remaining victims and investigate the circumstances surrounding the chain-pulling incident.