The death toll in the Jalgaon train accident rose to 13 after a headless body was discovered along the railway tracks, police reported on Thursday.
The incident occurred when some passengers of the Mumbai-bound Pushpak Express, who had disembarked following an emergency chain-pulling, were struck by the Bengaluru-Delhi Karnataka Express on adjacent tracks in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district on Wednesday evening.
“Out of the 13 victims, eight bodies have been identified so far, including two through Aadhaar cards,” stated Special Inspector General of Police Dattatraya Karale to PTI.
According to Jalgaon district information officer Yuvraj Patil, the identified deceased included four individuals from Nepal.
Of the 15 people injured in the accident, 10 are currently receiving treatment — nine at Pachora Civil Hospital and one at a medical facility in Jalgaon city. The others, who sustained minor injuries, have been discharged, he added.
Meanwhile, the Lucknow-Mumbai Pushpak Express reached its final destination, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai, at approximately 1:20 a.m. on Thursday, as confirmed by a railway spokesperson. Senior officials from Central Railway, including the general manager, visited the accident site and inspected the area. They also checked on the injured individuals at the hospitals.
The tragedy unfolded when passengers onboard the Pushpak Express, fearing a fire, jumped onto the adjacent tracks where they were struck by the oncoming Karnataka Express, officials said earlier. The incident took place between Maheji and Pardhade stations near Pachora town at around 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday after the chain was pulled to stop the Pushpak Express, according to Central Railway officials.
Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information and Publicity, Railway Board, refuted claims that sparks or a fire inside the coach led to the emergency chain-pulling.
In a video statement from Davos, Switzerland, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis explained, “Some passengers mistakenly thought there was smoke coming from the train, causing them to jump. Tragically, they were struck by another train.” The Chief Minister announced financial assistance of ₹5 lakh for the families of each deceased passenger.
Separately, the Railway Board announced compensation of ₹1.5 lakh for the families of the deceased, ₹50,000 for those with serious injuries, and ₹5,000 for minor injuries.
