Last Updated:January 22, 2025, 19:53 IST

Ayush Prasad, the District Commissioner of Jalgaon, said that people may have jumped from the train due to a rumour of a fire and then were struck by another train.

At least eleven people were killed and five were injured when they stepped onto the tracks and were hit by an oncoming train in Jalgaon, North Maharashtra, on Wednesday evening, according to Central Railway officials. Ayush Prasad, the District Commissioner of Jalgaon, said that people may have escaped from the train due to a rumour of a fire and then were struck by another train.

News agency IANS said that a false fire alarm in the Pushpak Express at Paranda Railway Station caused panicked passengers to jump off the train.

Speaking to News18, Prasad said: “Two trains were crossing each other at Jalgaon when some people on the tracks were run over by another train”.

“There were rumours of a fire, but there has been no confirmation regarding it. Three hospitals have been activated. Rescue operation is on,” he further added.

The accident took place near Pachora station, news agency PTI said, where Pushpak Express had halted after someone pulled the chain due to a rumour of fire on board around 5 pm.

Some passengers of the Pushpak Express stepped down, and were hit by the oncoming Karnataka Express, said Central Railway’s chief spokesperson Swapnil Nila.

WHAT LED TO THE TRAGEDY

According to Railway Ministry sources, many passengers boarded the train from Jalgaon. At the site of the incident, they deboarded using ACP (Alarm Chain Pulling) and attempted to cross the tracks from the wrong side, the sources said. Those standing on the opposite track or trying to cross were hit by the Karnataka Express.