Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin met with passengers injured in the Mysuru-Darbhanga Express train collision incident late Friday night at the Government Stanley Medical College Hospital in Chennai.
The accident occurred when the passenger train collided with a stationary goods train at Kavaraippettai Railway Station, leading to the derailment of 12 coaches.
Stalin wished for a speedy recovery for those receiving treatment and said that full-scale rescue operations were underway on directions of Chief Minister MK Stalin.
Taking to X, he wrote, “While the injured passengers are being given proper treatment, we asked the dean of the hospital about the details. We also provided advice on providing immediate facilities, including food, to those undergoing treatment.”
“Also, we inquired from the Thiruvallur District Collector about the accommodation details of the passengers who were rescued safely at the accident site, alternative arrangements for their return to their hometown, facilities including food and drinking water.” he added.
As many as 19 passengers were injured after the Mysuru-Darbhanga Express collided with a goods train at Kavaraippettai Railway Station near Chennai on Friday evening.
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.
