Express train rams goods train near Chennai, 19 injured

In Tamil Nadu, an express train, at 75 kmph speed, hit a stationary goods train on Friday night near Chennai as it entered a loopline instead of getting into the main line and a number of passengers were injured and a coach caught fire, railway officials said.At least 19 passengers were injured in the accident. The injured have been shifted to a nearby hospital. Chief Minister M K Stalin, expressing shock said he is monitoring rescue and relief work. "The government is engaged in swift relief and rescue activities," he said adding injured people were being taken to hospitals. The Railway Board has said that no casualty has been reported so far in the passenger-freight train collision in the Ponneri-Kavarapettai section in Chennai Rail Division. R.N. Singh, General Manager of Southern Railway, said, this train was going towards Gudur and further to Andhra Pradesh...While going towards Gudur at this station a goods train was stabled at the loop line and this was given precedence. This was supposed to pass via the main line...But despite having signals for the main line the train entered the loop line. 

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: R.N. Singh, General Manager of Southern Railway, says, "This train was going towards Gudur and further to Andhra Pradesh...While going towards Gudur at this station a goods train was stabled at the loop line and this was given precedence. This was supposed to… https://t.co/hZCKT3Tj5c pic.twitter.com/eb6lHH1m9J

— ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2024

The train no 12578 Mysuru Dibrugarh Darbabgah Express with LHB coaches, after crossing Ponneri station in Tiruvallur district at 20.27 hours on October 11, was given green signal to go on. However, "while entering the Kavaraipettai station, the train crew experienced heavy jerk and instead of going into the main line as per the signal given, the train entered into the Loop/line@75kmp & hit the Goods train standing in loop line," a Southern Railway press release said.
The crew is safe and a coach, the parcel van caught fire, which was doused by fire tenders. Further, the railway said train movement in that stretch has been closed adding, "12-13 coaches have derailed. So far, no casualties are reported but some injuries have been reported. All injured are moved to nearby hospitals."