Thu Jan 23 11:52:56 UTC 2025: ## 13 Dead, 10 Injured After Passengers Flee Train Amidst False Fire Alarm, Leading to Collision in India
**Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India** – A tragic train accident in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, has claimed the lives of 13 passengers and injured 10 others. The incident occurred on January 22nd at approximately 4:42 PM near Pachora station when passengers on the Lucknow-Mumbai Pushpak Express (12533) fled their train following a false alarm of a fire, resulting in a collision with the oncoming Karnataka Express (12627) on an adjacent track.
According to eyewitness accounts, a tea vendor initially spread the false fire alarm, causing panic among passengers in a general compartment. Two passengers, Udhal Kumar and Vijay Kumar, jumped from the moving train, triggering a chain reaction. Other passengers followed suit, some leaping onto the tracks, leading to the fatal collision with the Karnataka Express, which was traveling from Bengaluru to New Delhi. Eyewitnesses stated that the situation could have been worse if more passengers had jumped onto the tracks.
The impact was severe, with several bodies dismembered. Rescue teams and local residents collected body parts using sheets. Ten of the 13 deceased have been identified, including four from Nepal. The remaining three are still being identified. The injured are receiving treatment at Jalgaon Civil Hospital. Six bodies have undergone post-mortem examinations, while six others have been sent to the anatomy department for embalming before being released to the police.
Authorities have announced compensation for the victims’ families. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced ₹5 lakh (approximately $6,050 USD) for each deceased’s family, while Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced ₹1.5 lakh (approximately $1,815 USD) for each deceased, ₹50,000 (approximately $6,050 USD) for seriously injured, and ₹5,000 (approximately $60.50 USD) for those with minor injuries.
A senior railway official suggested that a “hot axle” or “brake-binding” incident within a Pushpak Express coach might have initially sparked the fear of fire. The location of the accident, a sharp turn, prevented passengers from easily seeing the approaching Karnataka Express. The incident highlights the dangers of panic and the need for clear communication during emergencies.
First Piper 