An investigation into the death of six labourers who were crushed under the wheels of an engine-less goods train at Jajpur-Keonjhar Road station in Jajpur district on Wednesday afternoon has started. A railway team headed by Khordha DRM has initiated the probe to find out how an engine-less train rolled down the tracks on its own.
On Wednesday afternoon, Nor’wester rain lashed several parts of the state including the Jajpur-Keonjhar Road station area. Some labourers who were engaged by a contractor for railway work near the Jajpur-Keonjhar Road station rushed to an engine-less monsoon reserve rake parked at the sick line near the station to take shelter under it.
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As they were under the rake, it started to roll allegedly under the impact of the wind force caused by the Nor’wester rain. While four labourers were killed on the spot, two others succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment. Two others are undergoing treatment at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.
While speaking to journalists, Khordha DRM Rinkesh Roy had on Wednesday said, “There are hand-brakes in the wagons to keep them stationary on the tracks. It seems someone might have unlocked them, leading to the mishap.”
Terming the incident as unfortunate, he had said people should take utmost precautions while around railway tracks.
To find out the exact reason as to why the wagons started rolling on their own and killed six labourers, the team headed by Khordha DRM has started its investigation. The team members on Thursday morning visited the accident site and inspected the wagons involved in the mishap.