11 Dead, 40 Injured in Jalgaon Train Accident After Rumor of Fire Sparks Panic

Jalgaon, 22nd January 2025: A major train accident claimed 11 lives and left 40 injured in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, on Wednesday at 4:42 pm. The tragedy occurred at Pardhade railway station after rumors of a fire on the Pushpak Express caused panic among passengers, prompting them to jump off the train. Many of them were struck by the Karnataka Sampark Kranti Express, which was passing on the adjacent track.

According to Jalgaon Superintendent of Police, the accident happened near a sharp curve in the railway track, which made it difficult for passengers to anticipate the arrival of the Karnataka Sampark Kranti Express. The Pushpak Express, traveling from Lucknow to Mumbai, reportedly emitted smoke from its wheels when brakes were applied, leading to rumors of a fire. Alarmed by the false news, passengers jumped off the train, inadvertently stepping onto the other track.

The Karnataka Sampark Kranti Express (train no. 12629), traveling from Yeshwantpur to Hazrat Nizamuddin, crushed several passengers who had jumped onto the track. The accident site is located approximately 400 km from Mumbai.

The Central Railway’s Bhusaval division reported that 8 ambulances and emergency equipment such as glass cutters and floodlights have been dispatched to the site. District officials and railway administration teams are coordinating relief efforts.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed his grief over the tragedy on social media platform X. He stated that Minister Girish Mahajan and the Superintendent of Police were already at the accident site, while the District Collector was en route. “Emergency services are fully engaged to provide relief to the injured,” he added.

Passengers on the Pushpak Express said they saw smoke coming from the wheels of their train when it stopped suddenly, which triggered panic. “Someone shouted ‘fire,’ and we all rushed to get off the train,” an injured passenger recalled. However, they were unaware of the danger posed by the adjacent track and the approaching Karnataka Sampark Kranti Express.