A devastating train accident occurred near Bilaspur station in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday afternoon, leaving 11 people dead and 20 others injured. The severity of the crash was highlighted by a railway official who noted that one coach of the passenger train ended up on top of a wagon of the goods train.
Details of the Collision
- Incident: The accident took place around 4:00 PM when the MEMU (mainline electric multiple unit) passenger train rammed into a goods train from behind.
- Route: The passenger train was traveling from Gevra in Korba district toward Bilaspur.
- Casualties: Among the deceased was the loco pilot of the passenger train, while the female assistant loco pilot sustained injuries.
Survivors Recount the Horror
Passengers described the collision as a sudden, violent, and terrifying event that occurred shortly after leaving Gatora station.
- Sanjeev Vishwakarma (35), a resident of Bilha, was in the first coach of the passenger train. He recounted the moments before the crash:”Suddenly, around 500 metres after leaving Gatora, the train shook violently and crashed into something. There was a thunderous sound followed by people’s screams…Then everything went dark.” He stated that when he woke up, he was “pinned under the seat,” and his coach had mounted the cargo train. He was haunted by the sight of bodies, noting, “Three people, including a woman, died. Their faces still haunt me.”
- Mohan Sharma, a marketing professional from Raipur, had boarded the train at Champa. He described the rapid impact:”The next thing I knew, I was thrown to the floor. My phone flew away… My right leg was trapped, I couldn’t move it. Railway staff pulled me out and rushed me for treatment. It all happened in seconds.” Sharma added that a slight reduction in speed could have potentially saved lives.
- Mehbish Parveen (19), a BSc Mathematics student traveling in the first coach, suffered a broken leg. She was returning from a family wedding and described the unforgettable horror, saying, “I can’t forget the screams as everyone was shouting for help.”