5 dead after passenger train collides with goods train near Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur

As rescue operations are underway, a police officer present at the accident spot said that two people are still trapped.

Raipur: Five people were killed and several others injured after a passenger train collided with a goods train near Bilaspur railway station in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday afternoon, officials said.

Bilaspur: People try to rescue at the spot as the coaches of a MEMU train and a goods train collided between Gatora–Bilaspur, in Bilaspur on Tuesday. Four people lost their lives in the incident. (ANI Video Grab)(ANI Video Grab)

The incident occurred around 4 p.m. when a MEMU (Mainline Electric Multiple Unit) passenger train was heading to Bilaspur from Gevra in neighbouring Korba district. When the train was between Gatora and Bilaspur railway stations, it rammed into a goods train from behind, officials said.

Follow all the live updates on Bilaspur train accident

The death toll in the accident was revised to five and two bodies were trapped in the debris, according to Sanjeev Shukla, IG Bilaspur.

Bilaspur Collector Sanjay Agrawal earlier said, “So far, four deaths have been confirmed in the accident. Two persons are still trapped, and efforts are on to retrieve them.” He added that the injured passengers have been shifted to Apollo Hospital and Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS) in Bilaspur. One of the injured was reported to be in critical condition.

The railway authorities said all available resources have been mobilised at the site, and necessary measures are being taken to provide medical treatment to the injured. Visuals from the site showed a coach of the passenger train mounted onto a wagon of the goods train, indicating the force of the collision.

The Railways has announced an ex-gratia compensation of ₹10 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased, ₹5 lakh for those seriously injured, and ₹1 lakh for passengers who sustained minor injuries.

Relief and rescue operations have been launched on a war footing by the railway administration. Senior officials have reached the site and are monitoring the situation closely, while the injured have been shifted to nearby hospitals. The railway administration is extending all possible assistance and coordination to the affected passengers.

A detailed inquiry into the incident will be conducted by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) to ascertain the cause and ensure necessary corrective measures are taken.

For the convenience of passengers and their families, the following helpline numbers have been issued:

Bilaspur – 7777857335, 7869953330

Champa – 8085956528

Raigarh – 9752485600

Pendra Road – 8294730162

Korba – 7869953330

Uslapur – 7777857338

Passengers and their families may contact these numbers for any required information. The railway administration said it continues to closely monitor the situation and is ensuring proper relief, rescue, and assistance efforts.