Mirzapur rail accident: Six killed as Netaji Express hits crowd

Six people lost lives at Chunar Railway Station due to the Mirzapur rail accident, as people crossed over through the tracks instead of using a foot bridge during Kartik Purnima Snan.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Mirzapur rail accident prompts emergency response

There was an immediate response from authorities following the impact between the Netaji Express and passengers on Wednesday morning. National and State Disaster Response Forces were on the scene in minutes and took control of rescue and recovery efforts.

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Railway authorities have reported that this occurred at about 9:30 a.m., when the Chopan Express was waiting at platform number four. Some people, mostly women, had alighted on the wrong side of the train and were trying to cross the tracks when they were rammed by the approaching Netaji Express going from Howrah to Kalkaji.

Railway and local police, together with other rescue responders, helped deal with the resultant scene and victims. Being that this occurred during a large religious rally, there was heavy crowd motion, but control was achieved through quick responses by authorities.

Mirzapur rail accident highlights safety and accountability

Amit Singh, the Public Relations Officer of North Central Railway’s Prayagraj Division, explained that despite the presence of a foot bridge, the victims decided to cross the railway tracks directly. It was again reminded that unauthorized railway crossings remain a prominent reason for deaths on railway tracks in India.

The bodies have been identified as six women, aged between 12 and 60, all of whom had come from other districts for the Kartik Purnima Snan events.

Condolences came from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who instructed authorities on providing relief and medical attention, while Union Minister and local MP Anupriya Patel termed it as a ‘heart-wrenching’ tragedy and assured that support would be provided to affected families.

According to experts, this tragedy is just one reason why there is a need for increased awareness education of passengers, especially at events that draw a huge following, such as festivals and shows of this nature.

Source, photo: infra.economictimes.indiatimes.com

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