On Wednesday, October 11, 2023, the North-East Express train, bound for Assam state from New Delhi, derailed near the Raghunathpur railroad station located in the Buxar district of Bihar state, India.
The accident resulted in the death of at least four people and left 70 others injured.
According to police officer Manish Kumar, medical teams with ambulances promptly arrived at the scene to assist the injured. The nearby hospitals were immediately alerted to be prepared for the influx of wounded passengers. Rescue operations continued throughout the night, with efforts challenged due to the darkness that enveloped the area.
Railroad official D.K. Pathak, who was onboard the train at the time of the mishap, reported that the majority of injuries were from one specific derailed coach, although six coaches reportedly derailed. The exact cause of the derailment remains under investigation, with some speculating that a fault in the tracks might have led to the accident.
The Hindustan Times reported that a relief train was organized at Danapur to assist the over 1,000 passengers, enabling them to continue their journey.
Indian Railways has announced compensation for the victims and their families.
This is not the first time India has witnessed a devastating train accident. In June 2022, a severe rail crash between two passenger trains led to more than 230 fatalities and left 900 others injured. The cause of that accident was identified as a malfunction in the signal system. Such incidents have ignited concerns about the safety and infrastructure of India’s vast railway network.
