At least eight people were killed and more than a dozen injured when a MEMU passenger train collided with a stationary goods train near the Lal Khadan Torva Phatak in Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur on Tuesday evening. The impact of the crash was severe, with the front coach of the MEMU train mounting the goods train, leaving several passengers trapped under debris.
According to officials, the preliminary cause of the accident appears to be the passenger train overshooting a red signal. The Railway Board confirmed that “Passing Signal at Danger (SPAD)” by the MEMU train seems to be the reason behind the tragic collision.
A detailed inquiry will be conducted by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) to determine the exact cause and suggest corrective measures.
Rescue operations through the night
Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), railway officials and local police worked overnight to rescue passengers trapped in the mangled coaches. Rescue operations continued late into the night as cranes were brought in to separate the damaged compartments.
Bilaspur District Collector Sanjay Agrawal confirmed that eight people had died, while around 16–17 others sustained serious injuries. Two passengers were initially reported to be trapped inside the wreckage. “A total of eight people have lost their lives in this accident. Everyone is present here, and we are carrying out rescue operations,” Agrawal said.
Visuals from the site showed NDRF and police personnel clearing debris, with ambulances ferrying the injured to nearby hospitals. The injured were first taken to the railway hospital before being referred to larger medical facilities for treatment.
Horror for passengers caught in collision
Survivors recounted chilling details of the incident, describing the confusion and panic that followed the impact. One passenger told PTI, “When I opened my eyes, I was pinned under the seat. People were crying for help. My coach had climbed onto the goods train. I saw bodies right in front of me.”
Another passenger, a woman travelling from Akaltara to Bilaspur, said her “leg got trapped under the seat” after the collision. “Before I could understand what had happened, people started screaming and shouting for help,” she said. Her leg was later found fractured, and she was taken to the hospital by rescue personnel.
Witnesses at the scene said they heard a loud crash followed by cries for help. Several passengers in the front coach were crushed or injured as it bore the brunt of the impact.
Government response and compensation
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai termed the accident “extremely heartbreaking” and said the state government was closely monitoring the situation.
“Teams from the railways and administration have immediately sprung into action for relief and rescue operations. All necessary resources and medical assistance are being ensured for the treatment of the injured,” Sai said on social media platform X.
Deputy Chief Ministers Arun Sao and Vijay Sharma also expressed grief over the tragedy. Sao confirmed that the goods train was stationary when the MEMU train rammed into it from behind, calling it a “very tragic incident”. Sharma added that all possible assistance would be extended to affected families.
The Railway Administration announced ex-gratia compensation of ₹10 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased, ₹5 lakh for those grievously injured, and ₹1 lakh for passengers with minor injuries. Helpline numbers were issued for relatives seeking information on passengers. Emergency lines were activated at Bilaspur, Champa Junction, Raigarh and Pendra Road stations.
Opposition attacks government over safety lapses
The opposition Congress party criticised the Centre over the recurring train accidents. Senior leader TS Singh Deo called the incident a case of “extreme negligence” and demanded the resignation of the Railway Minister on moral grounds.
“This laxity is the reason such an accident could happen. The families of the deceased should be given compensation and jobs in the railways,” he told ANI.
Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel also targeted the government, saying, “Today, the value of human life has become even less than coal. The government is busy transporting coal, and citizens are dying.”
Inquiry ordered, safety questions raised
Railway officials have launched a detailed probe into the incident. A senior official said that a Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) inquiry will assess whether human error, signal failure, or technical malfunction caused the MEMU train to overshoot the signal.
Experts have raised concerns over safety measures and signal monitoring systems on busy rail routes. While rescue operations concluded by Wednesday morning, efforts are on to restore normal rail traffic on the affected line.
The accident has once again highlighted the urgent need for improved safety systems and stricter adherence to railway protocols across India’s vast network.