A rail accident in India’s western state of Maharashtra on Wednesday killed at least 11 people when they got off their train, sparking fears of a fire, local media reported.
Railway officials told local media that someone had pulled the train’s alarm chain, causing it to stop, after which several passengers climbed onto adjacent tracks and fell off another passing train.
“According to information, 11 people have died and five others have been injured in the accident,” said Parveen Gadam, a senior railway official in Nashik region. ANI News agency, in which Reuters is part of the minority.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said ambulances had been dispatched to the scene – which is about 400 km from India’s financial capital Mumbai – and arrangements were being made to treat the injured.
He said that emergency equipment like glass cutters, flood lights etc. have also been kept ready. said On X
Indian Railways is the fourth largest train network in the world and is undergoing a $30 billion upgrade, as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s push to boost connectivity.
However, in the last two years, rail accidents including a Collide in 2023 which killed at least 288 people, has tarnished its image.
India plans to increase spending on modernizing its railways in next month’s federal budget. Reuters reported earlier this week.
