Thu Jan 23 11:52:56 UTC 2025: ## False Fire Alarm Leads to Deadly Train Collision in Maharashtra

**Jalgaon, Maharashtra, January 23, 2025** – At least 13 passengers died and 15 were injured Wednesday evening in a tragic train accident near Pachora in Jalgaon district, Maharashtra. The incident occurred when passengers on the Lucknow-Mumbai Pushpak Express jumped from the train after a false alarm about a fire, only to be struck by the Karnataka Express on an adjacent track.

According to officials, a rumour of a fire, possibly started by a tea seller, spread panic among passengers. The alarm chain was pulled, causing the Pushpak Express to stop. Many passengers then disembarked, unaware of the approaching Karnataka Express. The curvature of the track, approximately two degrees, hampered visibility, contributing to the collision.

The victims include nine men and four women, with four identified as being from Nepal. Authorities are working to identify the remaining bodies and return them to their families. The Maharashtra Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, announced a financial assistance of ₹5 lakh for each deceased victim’s kin, while the Railway Board offered an ex-gratia payment of ₹1.5 lakh. Additional compensation is being provided for injuries.

Railway officials confirmed that the Pushpak Express driver followed protocol by activating the flasher light and applying brakes. The Karnataka Express driver also attempted to brake upon seeing the flasher light, but the limited visibility due to the track curvature prevented them from avoiding the tragedy.

Investigations by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) are underway to determine the exact sequence of events that led to the alarm being pulled and the subsequent deaths. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi expressed condolences and called for a probe into how the fire rumour spread. The incident highlights the dangers of misinformation and the need for improved safety measures on Indian Railways.

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