Thu Jan 23 21:08:47 IST 2025: ## False Fire Alarm Leads to Deadly Train Tragedy in Maharashtra

**Jalgaon, Maharashtra, January 23, 2025** – At least 13 passengers were killed and 15 injured Wednesday evening in a tragic train accident near Pachora in Jalgaon district, Maharashtra. The incident occurred after a false fire alarm on the Lucknow-Mumbai Pushpak Express prompted panicked passengers to jump from the train, resulting in them being struck by the oncoming Karnataka Express on an adjacent track.

According to officials, a rumour of a fire, possibly started by a tea seller, spread through the Pushpak Express. When the train slowed down following an alarm chain being pulled, passengers leaped onto the tracks, leading to the collision. The nearly two-degree curvature of the track hampered visibility for the Karnataka Express driver, despite the activation of flashing lights and emergency braking.

Nine men and four women perished in the accident. Seven of the deceased have been identified as Nepali citizens. Authorities have identified 11 of the victims, and are working to identify the remaining two. The bodies have been sent to Jalgaon government hospital for post-mortems, with the process of embalming underway to facilitate identification and the handover to families.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, speaking from Davos, announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹5 lakh to the families of the victims. The Railway Board also announced an ex-gratia of ₹1.5 lakh to the kin of the deceased, along with compensation for those seriously or slightly injured.

A joint investigation by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) is underway to determine the cause of the alarm chain being pulled and the spread of the false fire alarm. A separate five-member inquiry team of senior railway officials has also been formed.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi expressed condolences and called for a probe into the events leading to the incident. The incident highlights the dangers of panic and misinformation in emergency situations and underscores the need for improved safety measures and communication protocols on Indian railways.

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