Death toll rises to 13 in Pushpak express tragedy; Tea seller’s fire rumor sparked panic

The death toll in the Pushpak Express tragedy near Jalgaon, Maharashtra, has risen to 13, with 10 others injured. The incident occurred on January 22, around 5 PM, between Maheji and Pardhade stations near Pachora, approximately 400 kilometers from Mumbai.

The incident began when a tea seller reportedly shouted that the train was on fire after seeing sparks near the general compartment. This caused panic among passengers, leading them to pull the emergency chain. Around 30-35 passengers, mostly from the general compartment, jumped off the halted Pushpak Express onto the adjacent track. At the same time, the Bengaluru-Delhi Karnataka Express, traveling at a speed of 130 km/h, struck the passengers on the tracks.

The accident resulted in the deaths of ten men and three women. Among the deceased, four were Nepalese nationals. Of the 10 injured, four are in critical condition and are receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. Rescue operations were conducted immediately, with ambulances and relief trains deployed to the site.

Railway officials confirmed that the sparks were likely caused by either a "hot axle" or "brake-binding." However, there was no evidence of a fire on the train. The curve at the accident site significantly reduced visibility, making it impossible for passengers or the Karnataka Express driver to react in time.

Compensation for the victims was announced by the Railway Ministry: ₹1.5 lakh for families of the deceased, ₹50,000 for passengers with serious injuries, and ₹5,000 for those with minor injuries. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced an additional ₹5 lakh for families of the deceased and assured full medical treatment for the injured.

An investigation is ongoing to confirm the exact cause of the sparks and to identify the tea seller responsible for spreading the fire rumor. Both the Pushpak Express and Karnataka Express resumed their journeys after the tracks were cleared. Officials are reviewing safety protocols to prevent such incidents in the future.