A tragic train accident unfolded in Jharkhand on Tuesday morning, leaving two people dead and 20 injured. The incident involved the Howrah-Mumbai Mail, which derailed near Barabamboo in Seraikela-Kharsawan district. The accident occurred at approximately 3:45 AM, disrupting rail services and sparking widespread concern.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her grief and directed scathing criticism towards the BJP-led central government, questioning their governance and citing the increasing frequency of such incidents. She wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Another disastrous rail accident! Howrah- Mumbai mail derails in Chakradharpur division in Jharkhand today early morning, multiple deaths and huge number of injuries are the tragic consequences. I seriously ask: is this governance? This series of nightmares almost every week,…”
Jharkhand MLA Kalpana Murmu Soren also conveyed her condolences and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured, stating: “Got the sad news of the Mumbai Howrah Mail derailment this morning. I pray for everyone’s safety and speedy recovery. A helpline has been started by the Saraikela Kharsawan district administration for information on relief and rescue operations.”
Following the accident, South East Railway implemented several measures to mitigate the disruption. They cancelled a number of express and passenger trains, including the 22861 Howrah-Titlagarh-Kantabanji Ispat Express and 12021 Howrah-Barbil Janshatabdi Express. Additionally, some trains were either short-terminated or diverted due to the accident near Barabamboo station. The South East Railway also released helpline numbers for passengers seeking information or assistance.
Rescue operations are underway at the accident site, with an NDRF team deployed to assist in the efforts. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safety measures and underscores the need for robust infrastructure to ensure passenger safety on Indian railways.
