Fadnavis announces Rs 5 lakh ex gratia for kin of passengers killed in Jalgaon train tragedy

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each to the next of kin of the passengers who lost their lives in a train tragedy in Jalgaon district.

At least 12 passengers were killed when they jumped from their train in panic due to a suspected fire incident, only to be run over by another train on the adjacent tracks in the North Maharashtra district, according to a top police official.

The accident occurred between Maheji and Pardhade stations near Pachora, over 400 km from Mumbai, where the 12533 Lucknow-Mumbai Pushpak Express had halted after someone pulled the chain around 5 pm, Central Railway officials said.

In a video message from Davos, Switzerland, Fadnavis stated, "Some passengers in the train mistakenly assumed that smoke was coming out of the train and jumped. Unfortunately, they were run over by another train. I announce Rs 5 lakh to each kin of the deceased in this accident."

जळगाव जिल्ह्यातील दुर्दैवी अपघातातील मृतांच्या वारसांना 5 लाख रुपये आर्थिक सहाय्य राज्य सरकारतर्फे करण्यात येईल आणि जखमींचा संपूर्ण खर्च सुद्धा राज्य सरकार करेल.
जखमींच्या प्रकृतीत लवकर सुधारणा व्हावी, अशी मी ईश्वरचरणी प्रार्थना करतो.#jalgaonpic.twitter.com/NHTUr1JTqw

— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) January 22, 2025

The state government will cover the entire cost of treatment for the injured passengers, Fadnavis added.

Special Inspector General of Police Dattatraya Karale informed PTI that 12 bodies were sent to the civil hospital in Jalgaon, and six to seven passengers sustained injuries.

"Our minister Girish Mahajan is personally overseeing the rescue and support efforts for the victims. I have spoken to district administration and police officials in Jalgaon," the Chief Minister said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who briefed him on the train tragedy in Jalgaon.

At least 10 passengers were killed after stepping onto the tracks from their train, reportedly due to a rumour of fire, and were run over by another train coming from the opposite direction.

"The train accident in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, is extremely sad. I spoke to Chief Minister Shri @Dev_Fadnavis ji and took stock of the situation arising after the accident. The local administration is providing all possible help to the injured. I express my deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this accident and wish for the speedy recovery of the injured," Shah wrote on 'X' in Hindi.

महाराष्ट्र के जलगांव में हुआ रेल हादसा अत्यंत दुःखद है। इस संबंध में मुख्यमंत्री श्री @Dev_Fadnavis जी से बात कर हादसे की जानकारी ली। स्थानीय प्रशासन घायलों को हर संभव मदद पहुँचा रहा है। इस दुर्घटना में जान गँवाने वाले लोगों के परिजनों के प्रति गहरी संवेदनाएँ व्यक्त करता हूँ और…

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) January 22, 2025

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and wished for the speedy recovery of the injured.