Jalgaon Pushpak Express Train Tragedy Live Updates: Track curvature hindered visibility, toll hits 13; CM Devendra Fadnavis announces ex-gratia

Thirteen people have lost their lives, and 15 others were injured in a tragic train accident near Pachora in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district. The incident occurred around 4:50 pm on Wednesday when passengers of the Lucknow-Mumbai Pushpak Express, fearing a fire due to rumors, pulled the chain to halt the train. In a panic, several passengers jumped off the train onto adjacent tracks, only to be struck by the oncoming Karnataka Express negotiating a curve at high speed.The deceased include three women and four Nepal nationals, including a 10-year-old boy. Authorities have identified seven victims so far. Injured passengers are receiving treatment at various hospitals, with four in critical condition.According to officials, the curvature of the tracks obstructed visibility, giving the Karnataka Express loco pilot insufficient time to brake. Witnesses described chaotic scenes, with passengers unable to escape before being hit.District collector Ayush Prasad and SP Maheshwar Reddy led rescue efforts as railway authorities dispatched an accident relief train. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, both attending Davos, expressed condolences. Ex gratia of ₹5 lakh and ₹1.5 lakh has been announced by the state and Railway Ministry, respectively. Stay with TOI for more updates.