'Saw bodies...people crying for help': Survivors recount Chhattisgarh train tragedy
What's the story
A passenger train collided with a goods train near Bilaspur railway station in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday, killing 11 people and injuring 20 others. The accident occurred around 4:00pm when the MEMU (mainline electric multiple unit) passenger train, which was traveling from Gevra to Bilaspur, rammed into a stationary goods train from behind. The impact was so severe that a coach of the passenger train landed on top of a wagon of the goods train.
Survivor stories
Passengers recount horror
Sanjeev Vishwakarma, a passenger on the train, recalled the horrifying moments before and after the crash. "Suddenly, around 500m 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," Vishwakarma said. Vishwakarma said he was pinned under his seat after the collision and witnessed three people, including a woman, die in front of him. Another passenger, Mohan Sharma, described being thrown to the floor by the impact.
Passengers
'Can't forget the screams'
"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 told PTI. Another passenger Mehbish Parveen (19), a second-year BSc Mathematics student, was returning from her home in Janjgir-Champa district after attending a family wedding when the accident happened. "My leg broke. I can't forget the screams as everyone was shouting for help," PTI quoted Parveen as saying.
Ongoing investigation
Investigation launched
The loco pilot of the passenger train, Vidya Sagar, was among those killed in the accident. His assistant, Rashmi Raj, suffered serious injuries. According to a senior railway official, the passenger train was traveling at 60-70 kmph when it collided with the goods train after overshooting a red signal. "It is under investigation why the loco pilot crossed the red signal and failed to apply the emergency brake in time, even though the goods train was visible," the official said.
Victim compensation
Compensation announced
The railway authorities have announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh each to the families of those who died in the accident. Those who were seriously injured will get ₹5 lakh, while those with minor injuries will be given ₹1 lakh. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has also announced a compensation of ₹5 lakh to each deceased's kin and ₹50,000 to each injured person.