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Raipur, November 4 (IANS) In a tragic rail accident that shook Chhattisgarh on Tuesday, at least four people were killed and two others went missing when a Bilaspur-bound MEMU passenger train from Gevra Road collided with a parked goods train near Bilaspur station.
Many other people have suffered injuries.
The collision occurred around 4 pm on the up line between Gatora and Bilaspur stations in the South East Central Railway (SECR) zone.
While Bilaspur Collector Sanjay Aggarwal confirmed the death of four people, a police officer present at the spot said two passengers were still trapped under the debris as hydraulic cutters were working hard to free them.
More than a dozen others suffered injuries ranging from fractures to severe concussions.
“We lost four precious lives; rescue teams are using every resource to rescue the trapped people, two more people are being rescued, but we can’t say anything about them right now,” Aggarwal told reporters amid chaotic scenes at the Lal mine.
MEMU service number 68733 was going to Bilaspur when it collided with the rear of a goods train near Lal Khand, just outside Bilaspur railway station.
The collision was so severe that the front coach of the MEMU train ran over the goods rack, causing extensive damage and panic among the passengers.
Eyewitness video circulated on social media showed the passenger coach parked on top of the freight wagons, underscoring the force of the collision.
Railway officials, including SECR general manager Tarun Prakash and Bilaspur divisional railway manager Rajmal Khoiwal, reached the spot to monitor the rescue and relief operations.
Medical teams and ambulances were rapidly deployed and injured passengers were evacuated to nearby hospitals for treatment.
According to SECR Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO), two people have been officially confirmed injured, although local reports suggest that the death toll may rise as rescue efforts continue.
The cause of the accident remains under investigation. Initial reports indicate that both trains reached the same track, but it is unclear whether this was due to a signaling failure or human error. A high-level investigation has been ordered to find out the exact sequence of causes of the collision.
Train services on the affected routes have been suspended or diverted and the Railways has issued helpline numbers for families seeking information about their loved ones. Compensation for the victims is expected to be announced after the initial assessment is completed.
The accident led to a huge crowd gathering at the spot, with local authorities working closely with railway personnel to handle the situation and ensure the safety of spectators. As the country grapples with yet another rail tragedy, questions are being raised about safety protocols and infrastructure preparedness in one of India’s busiest railway zones.
–IANS
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