Tamil Nadu rail accident mirrors Balasore; express train collides with stationary goods train, 19 injured

1,360 passengers were on board at the time of the collision.

A rail accident in Tamil Nadu, where a speeding express train rammed into a stationary goods train at Kavaraipettai, about 46 km from Chennai, on October 11, bears similarities to the tragic Balasore (Odisha) collision in 2023.

As many as 19 passengers were injured when Train No. 12578 Mysuru - Darbhanga Express collided with a goods train at Kavaraipettai, derailing at least 13 coaches in the Chennai-Gudur section. No casualties have been reported so far.

Tiruvallur district collector T Prabhushankar said that 1,360 passengers were on board during the collision. "There were no casualties, but 19 passengers were injured, including four who sustained severe injuries.

Also, read: Mysuru-Darbhanga Express rams into goods train near Chennai, several coaches derail; top updates

Initial investigations said that the accident was due to a signalling failure. "This train, consisting of LHB coaches, passed Ponneri Railway Station at 8:27pm and was given a green signal to proceed through Kavaraipettai Station via the main line. However, upon entering Kavaraipettai, the crew experienced a heavy jerk, and instead of following the main line, as the signal had indicated, the train entered the loop line at 75 kmph and collided with the stabled goods train," said railways in a statement.

The power car, located next to the engine, caught fire due to the impact.  At least 13 coaches were derailed. All injured passengers have been moved to nearby hospitals for further treatment, and train movement in both directions on the Chennai-Gudur section was affected.

Also, read: Tamil Nadu train accident updates: 'Shocked' by the Mysore-Darbhanga crash, monitoring rescue ops, says CM Stalin

Sources said that the presence of a brake van at the rear of the freight train and speed regulation near Kavaraipettai station due to a curve likely prevented a larger disaster like Balasore.  "The train had passed Ponneri station at 8:27pm and was approaching Kavaraipettai at a speed of 109 kmph. As it neared the station, the loco pilot reduced the speed to 90 kmph due to speed restrictions. The train was decelerating when it collided with the stable freight train. In the Odisha crash, the trains were running at a maximum speed of 128 kmph, which worsened the impact," said a source.

A probe has been launched into the signalling failure that led to the accident. "We are investigating why the train entered the loop line instead of the main line after taking statements from the loco pilot and assistant loco pilot.", a railway official said.

Balasore train accident

In Balasore (Odisha) accident, Coromandel Express collided with a stationary goods train near Bahanaga Bazar railway Station on Howrah–Chennai main line. The high speed of the passenger train and the heavy tonnage of the goods train led to 21 coaches derailing, with three coaches colliding with the oncoming SMVT Bengaluru–Howrah Superfast Express on the adjacent track. Balasore tragedy resulted in 296 deaths and more than 1,200 injuries.

Also, read: Odisha train tragedy: Derailment warning sounded out in Dec goes unheeded. Disaster returns in its worst form

Union railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had said that the Balasore train crash was caused by an error in the electronic interlocking system, possibly due to a damaged wire or short circuit. He later announced a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe, following the Commission of Railway Safety's (CRS) investigation. CBI had arrested three railway officials—a technician and two signal engineers—charging them with culpable homicide and evidence tampering.

Helpdesk

Officials said stranded passengers of Train no. 12578 Mysuru-Darbhanga Bagmati Express were provided with food and water. A special train departed from Dr MGR Chennai Central at 4:45am on October 12, to transport the passengers to their destination. A help desk has been set up at Dr MGR Chennai Central Railway station to assist the passengers (helpline numbers: 04425354151, 04425330952, 04425330953, 04425354995). Several trains on Chennai-Gudur section have been diverted or cancelled due to the accident and passengers are advised to check the status of their trains in advance.

Also, read: Safety commission report on Balasore accident damns railways