Updated 

Chennai, Oct 12 (IANS): As many as 19 passengers of the Bagmati Express (Train No. 12578), which derailed at Kavaraipettai on the night of October 11, have been admitted to hospital.

The condition of four passengers is reported to be serious.

Southern Railway has already launched a high-level probe into the accident.

It may be recalled that the Bagmati Express, running from Mysuru to Darbhanga in Bihar, collided with a stationary goods train at 8:30 PM on Friday.

The impact caused 12 coaches of the Bagmati Express to derail, and a parcel van of the train caught fire, which was later extinguished by fire and rescue services.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) promptly reached the scene and conducted rescue operations.

Sources within the Railways told IANS that the accident occurred due to a signal failure.

Train No. 12578, the Mysuru-Darbhanga Express, had been given a green signal to pass through the main line.

However, the train, traveling at 75 km/h, entered the loop line and collided with the rear of a goods train stationed there.

The express train had crossed Ponneri railway station at 8:27 P.M. and was given a green signal to pass through the next station, Kavaraipettai, via the main line.

A statement from Southern Railway said, “While entering Kavaraipettai station, the train crew experienced a heavy jerk, and instead of proceeding onto the main line as signaled, the train entered the loop line at 75 km/h and collided with the goods train.”

Railway officials confirmed that the crew was unharmed, and the fire in the parcel van was successfully put out.

“So far, no casualties have been reported, but some injuries have occurred. All the injured have been taken to nearby hospitals,” the official said.

Train movement on both sides of the section was affected, and alternative arrangements were being made for the transportation of passengers.

Friday night’s accident in Southern Railway bears similarities to the Balasore incident in Odisha on June 2, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 290 passengers and injuries to more than 900.

Earlier Report

Mysore-Darbhanga Bagmati Express derails in Tamil Nadu; many injured

Chennai, Oct 11 (IANS): A total of 13 coaches of the Mysore-Darbhanga Bagmati Express derailed on Friday at Kavaraipettai near Chennai after ramming into a stationary goods train, an official said, adding that three coaches of the train caught fire after the derailment.

Several passengers travelling on the train sustained injuries and were admitted to nearby hospitals.

According to sources, the nature of injuries -- moderate or serious -- could not be ascertained yet as updates from the hospitals from the injured individuals have been admitted are being awaited.

Southern Railway officials, meanwhile, said that no serious injuries have been reported so far.

The Mysore-Darbhanga Express operates between Darbhanga Junction in Bihar and Mysuru Junction (Mysore) in Karnataka.

A team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has reached Kavaraipettai in Tiruvallur district, where coaches of the Bagmati Express derailed after colliding with a stationary freight train.

The NDRF team has already shifted the injured to the nearby medical facilities.

In a statement, the Southern Railway said: "Train No 12578 passed Ponneri at 8.27 p.m. The crew experienced a heavy jerk, and the train entered the loop line. A few coaches derailed."

Due to the derailment, the statement mentioned that train services between Chennai and Vijayawada have been temporarily suspended.

In videos and pictures circulating on social media, flames can be seen beneath some of the derailed coaches, and passengers are seen being rescued.

Local residents, along with the police and fire department, immediately joined the initial rescue efforts following the accident.

Ambulances from nearby hospitals were used to shift the injured passengers to healthcare and medical facilities.

Southern Railway's General Manager and Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) arrived at the scene, along with senior officials, to oversee the rescue operations.

A unit of the Railway Protection Force has also arrived to assist. According to sources, nearby hospitals in Kavaraipettai are on high alert to manage any emergencies.