In a harrowing incident in Western Maharashtra, India, a total of 11 people were confirmed dead and five injured after panicking passengers evacuated their train due to feared fire threats, only to be struck by another train traveling on an adjacent track. Railway officials reported that the train's emergency cord was pulled, prompting its abrupt halt. The situation escalated as the frightened passengers exited, leading to the tragic collision.
Despite early assumptions, it remains uncertain whether there was an actual fire on board. This incident comes amid a $30 million initiative aimed at modernizing the railway system, which has already faced its share of tragedies, including a catastrophic train crash earlier this year in Odisha, resulting in nearly 300 fatalities.
Maharashtra's Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, expressed his sorrow over the incident through a post on X, underscoring the human toll. He declared that eight ambulances were promptly dispatched and local hospitals placed on high alert.
The repercussions of this tragedy might resonate deeply with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has championed railway enhancements as a means to invigorate economic growth and improve transportation links. Upcoming budget proposals are expected to allocate increased funding for this modernization effort, which now faces renewed scrutiny in light of recent accidents.
