Wed Jan 22 19:11:17 UTC 2025: ## Passengers Die After Jumping from Train Following False Fire Alarm in India
**Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India –** At least 12 people died and many more were injured in a tragic train accident near Jalgaon, Maharashtra, on January 22nd, 2025. The incident occurred when passengers on the Pushpak Express, traveling from Lucknow to Mumbai, panicked after a false alarm of a fire on board.
According to eyewitness accounts, a rumour of a fire spread quickly around 3:30 PM to 4:00 PM. Passengers jumped from the train before it came to a complete stop, leading to several being struck by the Karnataka Express on an adjacent track. Initial reports suggested that sparks from the wheels of the Pushpak Express were mistaken for a fire.
The Pushpak Express had been stopped due to a chain pulling alarm. Railway officials confirmed the train was stationary at the time of the incident. However, many passengers had already disembarked when the Karnataka Express passed, resulting in the fatalities.
The death toll has fluctuated in initial reports. While some early reports cited as few as 6 deaths, later accounts confirmed at least 12 fatalities. The number of injured remains unclear, with initial estimates ranging from 30-40.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a compensation of ₹500,000 (approximately $6,000 USD) to the families of each victim. He also stated that the state government would cover the medical expenses of the injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and wished a speedy recovery for the injured. Other senior officials, including Amit Shah and CM Yogi Adityanath, also offered their condolences.
Rescue efforts were immediately launched, with ambulances and emergency services dispatched to the scene near the Paranda station. Investigations are underway to determine the exact sequence of events that led to this devastating accident.
First Piper 