“Signal, route mismatch” sent the train into closed loop

New Delhi:

The railway derailment in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvallur district – after a passenger train rammed into a stationary goods train at 75 kmph – was caused by a “mismatch between signal and track”, Southern Railways general manager RN Singh told NDTV on Saturday Morning.

The passenger train – the Mysuru-Darbhanga Bagmati Express – was supposed to switch to the main line but “something wrong happened”, Mr Singh said. The train accidentally switched to a closed section of track where the freight train was parked.

It was too early to say exactly what happened, Mr Singh said, pointing out that the signal for the main line was set while the track was switching the train to closed loop.

“The train was heading to Gudur (in Andhra Pradesh). It stopped at Kavaraippettai railway station in Tiruvallur where there was a goods train on the ring route which was also going to Gudur.”

“It (the express train) was given priority (and it was supposed to pass the main line”), he explained, “But despite the signal clearance for the main line, the passenger train entered the ring line and hit the freight train from behind,” resulting in the engine derailment led.”

Officials said they later reported a “strong jolt” before entering the loop.

#REGARD | Tamil Nadu: Drone images from Chennai-Guddur section between Ponneri-Kavarapettai stations (46 km from Chennai) of Chennai division where train No. 12578 Mysuru-Darbhanga Express had a rear-end collision with a goods train last evening.

12-13 Coach of… pic.twitter.com/QnKmyiSVY7

– ANI (@ANI) October 12, 2024

The Railway Safety Officer will investigate the exact reasons, he added.

The accident led to the derailment of twelve wagons and 19 injuries; There were over 1,300 passengers on the express train. A railcar also caught fire.

#REGARD | Tamil Nadu: Latest drone images from Chennai-Guddur section between Ponneri-Kavarapettai stations (46 km from Chennai) of Chennai Division where Train No. 12578 Mysuru-Darbhanga Express had a rear-end collision with a goods train last evening.

12-13 coaches… pic.twitter.com/F7kp7bgLdV

– ANI (@ANI) October 12, 2024

Fortunately, no deaths have been reported so far and the injured are being treated in government hospitals. The other – now stranded – passengers were taken by bus to the state capital Chennai and placed on a special train to their respective destinations.

The derailment occurred about 40 km from Chennai.

Due to the derailment and ongoing repair work, several trains were canceled or rerouted; At least 18 trains scheduled for that day were canceled.

A high-level investigation was ordered while Prime Minister Stalin expressed shock and called for rescue operations to be speeded up.

Officials said recovery could take up to 24 hours, until Saturday evening.

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