Mysuru-Darbhanga Express train rams goods train near Chennai, 19 injured

As many as 13 coaches of the Mysuru-Darbhanga Bhagmati express derailed and fire erupted in two coaches after the train rammed the rear of a goods train stationed on a loop line at the Kavaraipettai railway station on Friday.

In Short

• 13 coaches derailed after the express train collided with goods train
• A massive fire erupted in two coaches of the train
• Rescue operations underway, says Thiruvallur District Collector

A Mysuru-Darbhanga Bhagmati Express train rammed the rear of a stationary goods train at Kavaraipettai railway station in Tamil Nadu on Friday. Following the collision, a fire broke out in two coaches, and at least 13 coaches derailed.

At least 19 passengers were injured in the accident. The injured have been shifted to a nearby hospital.

Initial reports suggest the train crew experienced a heavy jerk on the track, causing the express train to move onto a loop line and crash into the parked goods train. "The train was travelling at 109 km/h when its crew suddenly felt a severe jerk. The passenger train entered a loop line and collided with a stationary goods train on the same track," sources told India Today TV.

Visuals from the scene show fire erupting from one of the coaches as people attempted to rescue the passengers from the train.

The Southern Railway's Chennai Division has released emergency helpline numbers: 044-25354151 and 044-24354995. Meanwhile, the railway divisions in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh have also released emergency helpline numbers -- Gudur: 08624 250795, Ongole: 08592 280306, Vijayawada: 0866 2571244 and Nellore: 0861 2345863.

Doctors, ambulances, medical relief teams, and senior officers have been dispatched to the site. All the passengers have been rescued.

"We are moving all passengers by EMU to Chennai Central, and a fresh train has been readied at Chennai to take them further to Darbhanga or other destinations. We are also providing passengers with free food, water and snacks," Southern Railways said in a statement.

The train accident has disrupted train traffic on the route, with services temporarily halted.