In a somber incident, at least four passengers met an untimely demise, while approximately 30 individuals sustained injuries as coaches of the Delhi-Kamakhya Northeast Express were involved in a derailment near Bihar’s Buxar district, close to the Raghunathpur station. The tragic occurrence, transpiring late into the night, led to the diversion of 92 trains and the cancellation of eight others, underscoring the gravity of the incident.
The ill-fated train, already delayed by one hour and 40 minutes, experienced the derailment of its coaches, thereby amplifying the ramifications of the mishap. The resultant damage extended beyond the railway carriages, affecting the structural integrity of pillars, electrical poles, signal posts, and the very tracks themselves. This disruption consequently triggered delays in train services along the New Delhi-Howrah main line, as several trains were temporarily halted at different junctures.
Preliminary investigations suggest that inadequate track maintenance or anomalies in the track switching mechanisms may have precipitated the derailment. Authorities, however, asserted that the region in question did not exhibit any proclivity for illicit activities, thereby negating foul play as a potential factor.
The sobering derailment incident bore a tragic resemblance to an earlier rail disaster that had unfolded in Odisha, marking India’s most severe rail calamity in two decades. In that event, faulty connections within the automated signaling system culminated in the loss of 288 lives and injuries to over 1,000 individuals. This catastrophe occurred on June 2 when a passenger train collided with a stationary freight train, subsequently derailing and colliding with another passenger train traveling in the opposite direction.
Officials have identified three of the victims in the Bihar accident: Usha Bhandari, aged 33; Akriti Bhandari, a mere 8 years old; and Abu Jayand, aged 27. The identity of the fourth passenger is pending confirmation. The majority of the injured have been receiving medical attention at hospitals in Buxar, Ara, and Patna.
As the nation grapples with this distressing incident, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has pledged to ascertain the “root cause of the derailment” and was expected to visit the accident site.
The ill-fated Kamakhya-bound train had departed from Buxar station, albeit already behind schedule by nearly two hours, before the derailment occurred at approximately 9:35 pm. Timely relief and rescue efforts ensued, with a relief train arriving at the scene at around 1:30 am. Authorities successfully evacuated all stranded passengers, and the derailed carriages were progressively reinstated on the tracks.
Birendra Kumar, Chief Public Relations Officer of East Central Railways, affirmed that a specialized committee has been convened to investigate the technical aspects underpinning the derailment. The brunt of the damage was borne by three coaches, which tragically witnessed the loss of lives. Families of the deceased have received compensation, and the injured are also being provided with necessary support.
This lamentable incident serves as a stark reminder of the paramount importance of vigilance and safety within the realm of India’s vast and complex railway network. The search for answers and a comprehensive understanding of the circumstances surrounding the derailment remains a matter of critical importance.
[Please note that the information provided is based on the reported events of October 12, 2023, and subsequent developments may have occurred.]
