13 Dead in Jalgaon Train Accident

A tragic railway accident in Maharashtra's Jalgaon district resulted in at least 13 deaths and numerous injuries after passengers from the halted Lucknow-CSMT Pushpak Express were struck by the Karnataka Express. The incident occurred due to panic caused by a false fire rumor, prompting passengers to pull the emergency chain and disembark onto adjacent tracks. Railway officials confirmed no fire had occurred, attributing the panic to sparks possibly caused by a 'hot axle' or 'brake-binding'. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced compensation for victims' families, and the Railway Board has offered additional financial assistance. An investigation led by the Commissioner of Railway Safety is underway to determine the cause and prevent future occurrences. This incident highlights ongoing safety challenges within India's extensive rail network.