Passenger train collides with goods train, 19 injured, 12 coaches derailed, fire breaks out

On Friday night, a train accident occurred at Kavaraipettai station in Tamil Nadu's Tiruvallur district when the Mysuru-Darbhanga Bagmati Express (train no. 12578) collided with a stationary goods train. The express train, traveling at 75 kmph, entered the loop line instead of the main line, resulting in the derailment of 12 coaches and a fire in the power car.

Tiruvallur District Collector Dr. T. Prabhushankar reported that 1,360 passengers were onboard. Nineteen passengers were injured, with four suffering critical injuries. The injured were immediately taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Emergency services, including fire and rescue personnel, were swiftly deployed to the site, and the fire in the power car was quickly brought under control.

Stranded passengers were evacuated late at night via buses to Chennai Central railway station. Early on Saturday morning, a special train was arranged to take the remaining passengers to their destinations. Passengers were provided with food and water during the delay.

Southern Railway General Manager R. N. Singh explained that despite receiving a green signal for the main line, the express train veered onto the loop line, where the goods train was stationed. The train crew reported feeling a heavy jerk before the collision, but both the pilot and loco pilot are safe. An inquiry has been ordered to investigate how the mishap occurred.

Due to the accident, 18 trains scheduled for October 12 have been canceled, and several others have been diverted. Restoration work is underway, with services expected to resume by Saturday evening. Chief Minister M. K. Stalin expressed shock and assured that rescue and relief operations were being carried out swiftly. He is personally monitoring the situation.