The death toll from the train accident in Jalgaon has risen to 13 after police discovered a headless body along the tracks. The incident occurred when some passengers exited the Mumbai-bound Pushpak Express following a chain-pulling alarm and were subsequently struck by the Karnataka Express traveling from Bengaluru to Delhi on adjacent tracks in Jalgaon district on Wednesday evening.
According to Special Inspector General of Police Dattatraya Karale, eight out of the 13 deceased have been identified, including two through their Aadhaar cards. Among the identified victims, four were from Nepal, as stated by Jalgaon district information officer Yuvraj Patil.
Of the 15 individuals injured in the accident, 10 remain hospitalized—nine in Pachora civil hospital and one in a medical center in Jalgaon city, while others with minor injuries have been discharged. The Lucknow-Mumbai Pushpak Express reached Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in Mumbai at approximately 1:20 a.m. on Thursday. Central Railway officials, including the general manager, visited the accident site and the hospitals treating the injured.
The tragedy occurred when passengers, in a panic over a perceived fire, jumped onto the neighboring tracks where they were hit by the incoming Karnataka Express. The incident took place between Maheji and Pardhade stations around 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday. Railway Board Executive Director Dilip Kumar refuted claims of a fire prompting the passengers’ alarm.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, in a video message from Davos, stated that the passengers mistakenly believed smoke was emanating from the train, leading them to jump onto the tracks. He announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the families of the deceased, while the Railway Board declared an ex-gratia payment of Rs 1.5 lakh for the families of the deceased, Rs 50,000 for those with severe injuries, and Rs 5,000 for minor injuries.
