BILASPUR (CHHATTISGARH): At least five people were killed and 14 others injured after a passenger train rammed into a goods train near Bilaspur station in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday, officials said.
The accident occurred around 4 pm when the MEMU (Mainline Electric Multiple Unit) passenger train, travelling from Gevra in Korba district to Bilaspur, collided with a goods train between Gatora and Bilaspur stations.
“So far, five deaths have been confirmed in the accident. Four more passengers remain trapped in the wreckage, and efforts are underway to rescue them,” Bilaspur Collector Sanjay Agrawal said.
According to officials, the goods train was moving in the same direction as the passenger train at the time of the collision. The injured have been admitted to Apollo Hospital and the Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS) in Bilaspur, with one person reported to be in critical condition.
Railway authorities have deployed all available resources to the site, ensuring prompt medical assistance and rescue operations. Visuals from the scene showed a passenger coach mounted onto a wagon of the goods train.
The Railways announced an ex-gratia compensation of ₹10 lakh each for the families of the deceased, ₹5 lakh for those seriously injured, and ₹1 lakh for passengers with minor injuries.
A detailed probe has been ordered by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) to determine the cause of the crash and recommend corrective measures.
Relief and rescue operations are underway on a war footing, with senior officials reaching the site to oversee the situation. Helpline numbers have been issued for passengers and their families.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and assured full support to the victims. He spoke with the Bilaspur District Collector to review the situation and directed officials to provide immediate medical care and assistance to those affected.
In a post on X, the Chief Minister said that teams from the Railways and the district administration have reached the spot and are actively engaged in relief and rescue work. “All necessary medical facilities are being provided, and the state government is closely monitoring the situation with utmost promptness and sensitivity,” he stated.
Sai also conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
