Chhattisgarh train accident: Passenger train hits parked cargo rake after signal breach; death toll rises to 11

RAIPUR: A routine evening commute turned into tragedy on Tuesday when a local train connecting the coal township of Gevra with Bilaspur Junction in Chhattisgarh rear-ended a stationary cargo rake around 4 pm, in what preliminary reports suggest was a signal breach. The impact was so severe that the engine and one coach of the MEMU (mainline electric multiple unit) train climbed onto the roof of the freight train’s last wagon, killing 11 passengers and injuring at least 20.

According to initial accounts, several passengers were trapped inside the mangled coaches for quite some time before rescue teams reached the site. The collision marks the sixth fatal railway accident this year, excluding those at level crossings.

How It Happened

The South East Central Railway (SECR), in a preliminary statement, indicated that the loco pilot may have missed an automated signal, leading to the fatal crash. “Signal passed at danger by the MEMU train seems to be the reason, based on a preliminary assessment by authorities,” SECR said. A detailed investigation by the Commissioner of Railway Safety will determine the exact cause and suggest corrective measures.

Rescue And Relief Efforts

A relief train and medical teams were immediately dispatched from Bilaspur to the accident site. The railways announced ex gratia compensation of ?10 lakh for each deceased passenger’s family, Rs 5 lakh for those critically injured, and Rs 1 lakh for passengers with minor injuries.

The injured are being treated at the Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences and nearby private hospitals, Bilaspur district collector Sanjay Agrawal confirmed.

Official Response

Chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed condolences on X, assuring full state support for the victims and their families. “Teams from the railways and the administration are engaged in relief and rescue operations. All necessary resources and medical assistance are being ensured for the treatment of the injured,” he wrote.

Helplines And Context

Authorities have issued several helpline numbers — 7777857335, 7869953330, 8085956528, 9752485600, 8294730162 — for families seeking updates.

Since January, at least 32 people have died in train-related accidents across India, including incidents in Maharashtra (Jalgaon, Mumbra), Odisha (Cuttack), Jharkhand (Barhait), Bihar (Semapur), and Chhattisgarh, highlighting recurring concerns over signal safety and operational lapses in the railway network.