BILASPUR (CHHATTISGARH), Nov 5 : The death toll in the horrific collision between a passenger train and a goods train near Bilaspur railway station has climbed to 11, with 20 others injured, officials confirmed on Wednesday.
The accident occurred around 4 pm on Tuesday, when a MEMU passenger train travelling from Gevra (Korba district) to Bilaspur rammed into a stationary goods train from behind.
According to railway officials, the impact was so powerful that a passenger coach mounted a wagon of the cargo train, leaving several trapped inside. The loco pilot, Vidya Sagar, died on the spot, while assistant loco pilot Rashmi Raj sustained serious injuries.
Preliminary investigation suggests that the passenger train overshot a red signal and failed to apply emergency brakes in time, despite the goods train being visible on the track.
Rescue teams rushed to the site, carrying out relief operations through the night. The injured were shifted to Apollo Hospital and Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS), Bilaspur.
Railways announced ₹10 lakh compensation for families of the deceased, ₹5 lakh for the seriously injured, and ₹1 lakh for those with minor injuries.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed deep grief and announced an additional ₹5 lakh ex gratia to kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.
A Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause and accountability behind the fatal signal violation.
