A serious railway accident occurred on Friday night when the Mysuru-Darbhanga Bagmati Express collided with a stationary goods train at Kavaraipettai railway station, near Chennai, injuring 19 passengers. The collision, which led to the derailment of 12 coaches, is under investigation to determine the exact cause.
According to Southern Railway officials, the express train was correctly signaled to pass through the station without stopping. However, instead of remaining on the main line, it veered onto a loop line, resulting in a rear-end collision with the parked goods train. This deviation from the main track has raised questions about potential signaling or technical issues, and a high-level investigation has been launched.
At the time of the accident, the express was traveling at 75 km/h, and the collision caused a fire in one coach, though fortunately, no fatalities were reported. Railway authorities quickly responded, arranging a special train to transport stranded passengers from Chennai Central early the next morning, and offering food and water during the delay.
The derailment led to significant disruptions on the Chennai-Gudur route, resulting in the cancellation of two Jan Shatabdi trains and the diversion of several others. Restoration efforts are underway, though heavy rains in the region have slowed progress.
The Railways have assured that they are conducting a thorough probe, with officials emphasizing that the safety of passengers remains their top priority.