Tamil Nadu train accident: NIA suspects tracks damaged with hammer, say sources

Hours after the Mysuru-Darbhanga Bagmati Express train collided with a stationary goods train at Kavaraipettai railway station in Tamil Nadu, The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrived at the scene to investigate.

According to sources, the NIA suspects that the accident was caused by track sabotage. Initial findings revealed missing bolts and other components on the tracks, which raised suspicions of foul play. It is also believed that the route is obstructed by hammers.

The investigation also found that a similar pattern was observed in the Ponneri incident on September 22, when the signal boxes were found to have been removed. It is noteworthy that Ponneri is about 10 kilometers from the accident site at Kavarapettai railway station.

The collision occurred on Friday evening when The passenger train entered a ring route and rammed into the stationary freight train from behind, injuring 19 passengers. A fire broke out in two buses of the express train, 13 wagons derailed. The Railways ordered a high-level inquiry into the matter.

Railway officials said Saturday morning that the restoration would take about 16 hours.

Meanwhile, the stranded passengers were transferred to another special train on Saturday morning to continue their journey. The injured were taken to hospital.

Earlier, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi criticized the central government and said that no lessons had been learned from the repeated train derailments. “The Mysuru-Darbhanga train accident mirrors the horrific accident in Balasore – a passenger train collided with a stationary goods train. Although many people died in numerous accidents, no lessons are learned from them. Responsibility starts at the top. How many more families need to be destroyed? “Before this government wakes up?” he tweeted.