Tamil Nadu train collision: Southern railway launches high-level probe after 18 trains canceled, many rerouted

A passenger train and a halted freight train collided on Oct 11 close to Kavaraipettai in Tamil Nadu causing multiple carriages to derail.

While emergency restoration work at the site proceeds, eighteen trains have been canceled and many more have been rerouted.

In addition to the National Investigation Agency's (NIA) looking into the collision's cause, Indian Railways has launched a high-level investigation into it.

Authorities will evaluate whether the incident was the consequence of a signal malfunction or an intentional act.

Although there haven't been any initial reports of injuries, six coaches on the Mysuru-Darbhanga Bagmati Superfast Express derailed, three of which caught fire.

Information regarding the overall number of injuries brought on by the incident has not yet been released by the Ministry of Railways.

The Mysuru-Darbhanga Bagmati Express train was traveling from Mysuru to Darbhanga when it accidentally entered the loop line where the goods train was stationed, causing the collision, according to officials.

The collision occurred on Oct 11 night at Kavaraippettai Railway Station in Tamil Nadu's Tiruvallur under the Chennai division of the Southern Railway.

Ambulances and rescue crews have been sent to the location to handle the current situation and tend to any injured passengers.

Southern Railway General Manager RN Singh said, “This train was going towards Gudur and further to Andhra Pradesh, and via Odisha it would have gone to Darbhanga after starting from Mysuru. As it passed through this station (Kavaraippettai), a goods train was stabled on the loop line, which was given precedence.”

“This train was supposed to pass through the main line without stopping, as there is no scheduled stop at this station. Signals were also provided for the main line. However, it was unusual that despite having signals for the main line, the train entered the loop line where the goods train was standing,” he added.

After inspecting the accident scene, Singh said the injured passengers had been transferred to the closest hospitals.

Personnel from Southern Railway, Principal Heads of Departments, and other railways are working to restore the track at the accident location. Rescue attempts were hindered by heavy rainfall on Oct 12.

Railway officials estimate that the restoration of the train tracks will take about 16 hours.

Om Prakash, Senior Public Relations Officer for Southern Railways, has asked that passengers be informed of the train diversion and postponed list.

Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, criticized the Centre on Oct 12 for the train disaster in Tamil Nadu.

"No lessons have been learned despite many lives lost in numerous accidents and asked how many more families must be destroyed before the government wakes up," he said.

In a post on X, Gandhi said, “The Mysuru-Darbhanga train accident mirrors the horrific Balasore accident—a passenger train colliding with a stationary goods train.”

“Despite many lives lost in numerous accidents, no lessons are learned. Accountability starts at the top. How many more families must be destroyed before this government wakes up?” he added.

Udhayanidhi Stalin, the Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, took aim at the Central government saying, "The Union Government needs to take action to stop train accidents, as they are now a series of incidents."

“Minister, MLA, and government officials are on spot for the rescue operation. On behalf of the state government, 22 ambulances were sent immediately,” said Stalin.

“There are no casualties. In Stanley Hospital, medical treatment is being given. Police Department, Fire and Rescue Department, District Administration, and Medical Team are at the accident spot,” he added.

The Southern Railway confirms that a special train carried passengers who were left stranded following the Darbhanga Bagmati express tragedy and headed for Darbanga.

"They boarded the passenger special towards Darbhanga, via Arakkonam, Renigunta, and Gudur, after all the passengers arrived," reads the press release.