Expressing shock after 12 coaches of Mysuru-Darbhanga Express train derailed in Tiruvallur district on Friday evening, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister said that he was continuously monitoring the rescue operations and that the injured passengers have been taken to the hospital.
He further said that Minister for Minorities SM Nasar and other officials were directed to reach the accident site.
Taking to X, CM Stalin said, “I was shocked to know that there was a train accident in Kavaripettai, Tiruvallur district. As soon as the information was available, I ordered the Hon’ble Minister @Avadi_Nasar and other government officials including the District Collector to go to the accident site.”
He added, “The government is working fast in rescue and relief work. The injured are immediately taken to the hospital. A separate team is functioning to arrange food and travel facilities for the other passengers to return home.”
CM Stalin also noted that the fire department is engaged in removing the derailed train coaches. “I am continuing to monitor the rescue operations,” he said.
As many as 19 passengers were injured after the Mysuru-Darbhanga Express collided with a stationary goods train at Kavaraippettai Railway Station near Chennai on Friday evening.
Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin met with passengers at the Government Stanley Medical College Hospital in Chennai after the accident.
The incident occurred around 8:30 pm on the Chennai-Gudur section between Ponneri and Kavaraippettai railway stations in the Chennai division of Southern Railway, leading to the derailment of 12 coaches of the passenger train.
According to Tiruvallur police, the Mysuru-Darbhanga Bagmati Express (Train No.12578), traveling via Perambur, collided with a stationary goods train at Kavaraippettai Railway Station near Thiruvallur.
T Prabhushankar, District Collector of Tiruvallur, told ANI, “The passenger train collided with a goods train. There were around 1,360 passengers on board. We reached the spot immediately after receiving information. Chief Minister MK Stalin has instructed us to ensure that the rescue operation proceeds without delay. Following his orders, we made sure all passengers were safely evacuated.”
He added, “There were no casualties. 19 people were injured, with four of them had severe injuries. They were taken to hospital and all are currently stable. We are focusing on the well-being of the rescued passengers. Cooked food has been arranged on the CM’s orders.”
Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information & Publicity (ED/IP) at the Railway Board, confirmed the accident involving the 12578 Bagmati Express, which runs from Mysuru to Darbhanga.
“Relief and rescue operations began immediately. All passengers have been evacuated from the train. No casualties or severe injuries have been reported. More than 90 per cent of the passengers have been evacuated,” Kumar said while speaking to ANI.
The incident has affected movement of trains on the entire section, forcing railways to divert or operate trains via alternate routes. Over half a dozen trains were diverted on Friday night.
The Railways also issued helpline numbers following the accident.