Passenger Train Collides With Goods Train In Bilaspur; 8 Dead, Several Injured

Bilaspur: At least eight persons were killed after a passenger train collided with a goods train near Bilaspur station in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday, railway officials said. According to police, more passengers are feared to have sustained injuries as some are trapped under a coach.

Sanjay Agrawal, DC, Bilaspur, said, "So far, we have recovered the bodies of eight people. Two more are still trapped in the train carriage. Efforts are underway to rescue them carefully using a cutter. The condition of 15 to 17 people remains critical. All the injured are undergoing treatment at the hospital. Our team is present at the scene. The Chief Minister is seeking constant updates."

Around 4 pm, a MEMU (mainline electric multiple unit) passenger train was heading to Bilaspur from Gevra (in neighbouring Korba when the incident took place. It rammed into a goods train from the rear side between Gatora and Bilaspur, said the railways official.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai stated that the news of the train accident is extremely heartbreaking. In a social media post, he wrote that the state government stands with the affected families during this difficult time.

"Teams from the railways and administration have immediately sprung into action for relief and rescue operations. All necessary resources and medical assistance are being ensured for the treatment of the injured. The state government is closely monitoring the situation with complete vigilance and sensitivity," he said.

The railway and the state government have announced relief assistance for the families of those who lost their lives in the accident. The families of the deceased will receive Rs 10 lakh, and the seriously injured will receive Rs 5 lakh. Those with minor injuries will also receive Rs 1 lakh each, an official said.

All resources have been mobilised at the spot to expedite the rescue operation, and required measures are being taken for the treatment of the injured persons, they said.

Visuals show a coach of the passenger train mounted onto a wagon of the goods train. Some of the injured persons are still trapped under the coach, and efforts are being made to retrieve them. Some of the injured have been shifted to the hospital, police said.

The accident led to the disruption of services on the route, and several trains were either cancelled or diverted. An investigation has been launched by the authorities to ascertain the cause of the mishap.

In view of an unforeseen situation, the South East Central Railway have opened the following helpline numbers for the convenience of passengers and their families: Bilaspur – 7777857335, 7869953330; Champa – 8085956528; Raigarh – 9752485600; Pendra Road – 8294730162 and Korba – 7869953330.

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