2 nursing students from Kerala killed after Vande Bharat runs over them in Bengaluru

The deceased were identified as Sterlin Eliza Shaji, 19, and Justin Joseph, 20.

Two first-year BSc nursing students from Kerala died on Sunday afternoon after being hit by the Bengaluru-Belagavi Vande Bharat Express train near Chikkabanavara railway station in Bengaluru.

According to Government Railway Police, Karnataka, the deceased were identified as Sterlin Eliza Shaji, 19, and Justin Joseph, 20, both hailing from Pathanamthitta district in Kerala.

They were students of Sapthagiri College and were staying at a nearby paying guest accommodation. Police are still determining whether the incident was accidental or an attempt to die by suicide, and are reviewing CCTV footage from the area along with other evidence as part of the investigation, The Indian Express reported.

The incident occurred around 2.35 pm while the Bengaluru–Belagavi Vande Bharat Express was en route to Belagavi, the report added. Officers said the victims died on the spot, and their bodies were discovered on the tracks in a badly mutilated condition.

Preliminary reports suggest the students were returning to their paying guest accommodation after having lunch when the accident occurred as they were crossing the railway tracks. The impact of the high-speed train was severe, and both died on the spot.

As per the report, railway officials confirmed that the train was travelling at a high speed during the incident. It had already left the station and had picked up pace by the time the students were hit.

The Bengaluru Rural Railway Police and Yeshwanthpur Railway Police station have registered a case and are investigating the incident, exploring angles of both a tragic accident and suicide, though initial reports suggest an accident while crossing the tracks.

Their bodies were shifted to MS Ramaiah Hospital for post-mortem examination, and their parents have been informed.