News Brief
Eleven Dead, Twenty Injured As Passenger Train Collides With Goods Train Near Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur
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At least eleven people have died and twenty others were injured after a passenger train collided with a stationary goods train near Bilaspur railway station in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday (4 November) evening, reported PTI.
The tragic incident occurred around 4 pm when a Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) train travelling from Gevra in Korba district to Bilaspur overshot a red signal and rammed into a freight train ahead.
“Eleven persons have lost their lives and 20 others were injured in the accident,” the Railways said in an official statement.
Rescue and relief operations were launched immediately, with the injured taken to Apollo Hospital and the Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS) in Bilaspur. The statement added that all passengers were receiving proper medical attention.
Eyewitnesses and officials described the impact as severe, the collision was strong enough to lift one passenger coach onto a wagon of the goods train.
“The passenger train hit the goods train from behind at a speed of 60 to 70 kmph after overshooting a red signal,” a senior railway official was quoted as saying.
Loco pilot Vidya Sagar was among those killed, while assistant loco pilot Rashmi Raj sustained serious injuries. The guard of the goods train managed to jump out moments before the collision, escaping with minor wounds.
The Railways announced ex gratia payments of Rs 10 lakh to the families of the deceased, Rs 5 lakh to the seriously injured, and Rs 1 lakh to those with minor injuries.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed condolences and announced an additional Rs 5 lakh compensation for the bereaved families. A detailed inquiry will be carried out by the Commissioner of Railway Safety.
