At least four people were killed and several others sustained injuries after a passenger train rammed into a goods train near Jairamnagar station in Bilaspur district, Chhattisgarh, on Tuesday morning. Preliminary reports suggest that the accident occurred when a Korba–Bilaspur passenger train collided with a stationary goods train on the same track.
Accident details and rescue operations
According to officials, the incident took place around 7.30 a.m., leaving the first coach of the Korba passenger train severely damaged after it mounted the goods train due to the impact.
Bilaspur District Collector Sanjay Aggarwal confirmed the fatalities and warned that the death toll may rise, as rescue teams are still assessing the full extent of the damage.
“Rescue and medical personnel are on-site, and we are coordinating with railway officials to provide immediate assistance to the injured,” Aggarwal said.
Videos from the site surface online
Several videos from the accident site have gone viral on social media, showing the first passenger coach perched atop the goods train, with local residents and railway staff helping in the rescue. Emergency teams can be seen cutting through mangled metal to reach trapped passengers.
Authorities have cordoned off the area while medical teams are shifting the injured to Bilaspur District Hospital. Railway officials have dispatched relief trains to assist in evacuation and recovery operations.
Preliminary investigation underway
Railway officials have begun a preliminary inquiry into the cause of the collision. Early indications suggest a signal or human error, though no official statement has confirmed this.
A senior South East Central Railway (SECR) officer said that both trains were on the same line when the collision occurred. “A detailed investigation is being conducted to determine whether there was a technical fault or communication failure,” the officer added.
Casualty figures may rise
While four deaths have been confirmed so far, officials warned that the number may increase as several passengers remain in critical condition.
Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) have joined local authorities to carry out the rescue operation.
Authorities appeal for calm
The Chhattisgarh government has appealed to citizens to avoid spreading unverified information online and assured that compensation and medical support will be provided to victims and their families.
The Railways Ministry is expected to issue an official statement after the completion of the initial inspection and recovery operations.