Tragic Train Collision in Bilaspur Claims Lives and Leaves Many Injured
Devastating Train Accident in Bilaspur
A catastrophic train accident occurred in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, around 4 PM on Tuesday, when a local MEMU train collided violently with a stationary goods train near the station. This shocking incident has resulted in the loss of 11 lives so far, with over 20 passengers sustaining injuries. Rescue operations are currently underway, and senior railway officials are present at the scene.
Details of the Incident
The MEMU local train was traveling at speed when its last and first coaches crashed into the parked goods train. The impact was so severe that debris was scattered everywhere. District Collector Sanjay Agrawal reported that the collision was intense enough to completely destroy the coaches. According to railway sources, this accident took place during peak hours when trains were en route to their destinations.
Casualty and Injury Update
Initially, reports indicated five fatalities, but the number has now risen to 11. The injured range from children to the elderly.
Victims' Information
| Name | Gender | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Madhura Bhaskar | Female | 55 |
| Chowda Bhaskar | Male | 50 |
| Shatrughan | Male | 50 |
| Geeta Debnath | Female | 30 |
| Mehnish Khan | Female | 19 |
| Sanju Vishwakarma | Male | 35 |
| Soni Yadav | Female | 25 |
| Santosh Hansraj | Male | 60 |
| Rashmi Raj | Female | 34 |
| Rishi Yadav | Male | 2 |
| Tularam Agrawal | Male | 60 |
| Aaradhana Nishad | Female | 16 |
| Mohan Sharma | Male | 29 |
| Anjula Singh | Female | 49 |
| Shanta Devi Gautam | Female | 64 |
| Pritam Kumar | Male | 18 |
| Shailesh Chandra | Male | 49 |
| Ashok Kumar Dixit | Male | 54 |
| Neeraj Devangan | Male | 53 |
| Rajendra Maruti Bisare | Male | 60 |
Government Response and Compensation
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai expressed deep sorrow during a press conference in Raipur regarding this tragic incident. He stated, "This is very heartbreaking news. Families of the deceased will receive assistance of ₹5 lakh, while the injured will receive free medical treatment and ₹50,000 each." The railway authorities have also pledged support of up to ₹10 lakh. The Chief Minister praised the rescue efforts and assured that all possible assistance is being provided.
Investigation Underway
Senior railway officials arrived promptly at the site to expedite the rescue operation. Continuous updates are being received from hospitals to ensure no shortcomings occur. An investigation has commenced to determine the cause of the accident. Was it a signal failure or something else? The coming days will reveal more, but this incident raises further questions about railway safety.