A passenger train which was coming at a speed of 75 km per hour collided with a stationary goods train on Friday night, in at Kavaraippettai railway station in Tiruvallur district, near Chennai, reports NDTV.
“At least 12 coaches of the passenger train, from Mysore to Darbhanga, derailed and the parcel van of the express train has caught fire, leaving 19 passengers injured”, railway officials said adding that the injured were taken to the hospital.
However, there were no reported casualties.
The incident took place after the Mysore-Darbhanga Bagmati Express train crossed Ponneri station at around 9:00pm (Dhaka) and the crew experienced a “heavy jerk” before the train entered the loop-line and collided with the goods train.
Rescue teams and ambulances have been deployed to the accident site to provide assistance and the railways also issued helpline numbers following the accident.
Past midnight, stranded passengers were transported through MTC buses to Dr MGR Chennai Central railway station. Early in the morning, at 5:15am (Dhaka), a special train departed from Dr MGR Chennai Central, taking the passengers to their destination, said Southern Railway.
Hence, train movement on the entire section was affected, forcing the railways to cancel two trains and divert or operate more than half a dozen others via alternate routes.
However, railway authority has formed a probe body to investigate the incident.
Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin met the injured passengers who are being treated at the Chennai government hospital.
Bd-Pratidin English/ Afsar Munna
