DUMKA: Two loco pilots were killed and four others sustained injuries following a head-on collision between two goods trains in Jharkhand’s Sahibganj district early on Tuesday morning.
The incident occurred on the same railway track at the NTPC gate in Barhet along the Lalmatiya-Farakka MGR line when a coal-laden train hit another static train.
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Sources said that the collision between the two freight trains occurred at around 3.30am. The collision was so intense that both engines derailed along with a few bogies, as a fire broke out in the coal-laden moving train, which was heading for Farakka carrying coal from the ECL's Lalmatiya (Godda) based Rajmahal coal project.
It was only after fire brigade vehicles rushed to the spot from the Sahibganj district headquarters that the fire was doused before the rescue of the victims.
The deceased were identified as Ambuj Mahto and B S Maal, hailing from Bokaro and Bengal, respectively. The injured victims were immediately shifted to the Barhet-based govt health centre.
Senior officials of the NTPC and railway, along with those from the local administration, arrived at the collision site soon after receiving information about the incident.
Speaking to the TOI, Sahibganj Deputy Commissioner (DC) Hemant Sati said, “Based on the prima facie account, the collision took place due to the negligence of both loco pilots. Investigation into the incident is underway by the railway officials to ascertain the reason behind the collision along the Lalmatiya-Farakka MGR line, which is dedicated to the transportation of coal from the Lalmatiya-based Rajmahal coal project of the ECL."
KEY HIGHLIGHTS:
- Two loco pilots were killed, and four others injured in a head-on collision between two goods trains on the Lalmatiya-Farakka MGR line in Jharkhand’s Sahibganj district.
- The crash occurred around 3:30 am when a coal-laden train hit a stationary train near the NTPC gate in Barhet, causing derailment, fire, and damage to multiple bogies.
- Firefighters from Sahibganj headquarters extinguished the blaze before rescuing victims, while the injured were taken to a government health center in Barhet.
- Sahibganj Deputy Commissioner stated that prima facie evidence suggests negligence by both loco pilots, with railway officials investigating the exact cause of the accident.
