At least two passengers were killed and six others injured after 18 coaches of the Mumbai-bound Howrah-CSMT Express derailed in Jharkhand on Tuesday following a collision with a goods train. The accident occurred at around 3:45 a.m. in Bara Bambu village near Chakradharpur, prompting a large-scale rescue operation at the site.
Ambulances and rescue teams rushed to the scene soon after the derailment was notified. Om Prakash Charan, a spokesperson for the South Eastern Railways (SER), told news agency PTI that there was another derailment of a goods train nearby. However, it was not yet clear whether the two accidents occurred concurrently. “At least 18 coaches of the 22-coach 12810 Howrah-Mumbai Mail via Nagpur derailed near Barabamboo station in SER’s Chakradharpur division at 3:45 a.m.,” Charan said.
The derailed coaches included 16 passenger coaches, one power car, and one pantry car. “Six passengers were injured in the accident and provided medical aid in Barabamboo. They are now being taken to Chakradharpur for better treatment,” another senior SER official stated. The reason for the derailment is currently being investigated.
In the wake of the incident, several trains were canceled or diverted. The canceled trains included the Howrah-Kantabanji Ispat Express (22861), Kharagpur-Dhanbad Express, and Howrah-Barbil Express. Additionally, the South Bihar Express (13288) was diverted, and the Asansol Tata Memu Pass Special Train (08173) was short-terminated at Adra.
The Indian Railways issued an official statement confirming the derailment of Train No. 12810 Howrah-CSMT Express near Chakradharpur, between Rajkharswan West Outer and Barabamboo in Chakradharpur division. The statement added that an Accident Relief Medical Equipment (ARME) team and the Assistant Divisional Railway Manager (ADRM) from Chakradharpur were on site. “Six persons have been injured. All have been given first aid by the Railway medical team,” the statement read.
Emergency helpline numbers were issued in response to the derailment. These numbers include:
Tatanagar: 06572290324
Chakradharpur:06587 238072
Rourkela: 06612501072, 06612500244
Howrah: 9433357920, 03326382217
Ranchi: 0651-27-87115
HWH Help Desk: 033-26382217, 9433357920
SHM Help Desk: 6295531471, 7595074427
KGP Help Desk: 03222-293764
CSMT Helpline Auto no 55993
P&T: 022-22694040
Mumbai: 022-22694040
Nagpur: 7757912790
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her condolences to the families of those killed in the train accident. In a post on X, she also questioned the governance over the accident. “Another disastrous rail accident! Howrah-Mumbai mail derails in Chakradharpur division in Jharkhand today early morning, multiple deaths and a huge number of injuries are the tragic consequences. I seriously ask: is this governance?” she tweeted. Banerjee added, “This series of nightmares almost every week, this unending procession of deaths and injuries on railway tracks: for how long shall we tolerate this? Will there be no end to the callousness of Government of India?! My heart goes out to the bereaved families, condolences to the next of kin.”
As rescue operations continue, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of those still trapped and providing medical care to the injured. The incident has raised significant concerns about railway safety and the need for stringent measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
