27,581 Indians died in railway accidents in 2014

A total of 27,581 Indians died in 2014 in railway related accidents, the latest data by the National Crime Records Bureau shows.

The NCRB has recorded railway-related accidents in two categories - railway and railways crossing accidents.

The leading cause of deaths in railway accidents was fall from trains/collision of trains with people on tracks, which together accounted for 13,542 deaths. Other causes include - collisions (99 deaths), derailments (59), explosion/fire (32). Cause for rest of the cases are not known.

Railway accidents

According to the NCRB, 25,006 people died and 3,882 were injured in a total of 28,360 railway accidents across the country in 2014. The railway accident cases have decreased by 9.2% as compared to those in 2013.

Maharashtra reported the maximum or 7,969 such cases in which 5,024 people were killed and 3,208 were injured. In cities, the maximum number of deaths was reported in Delhi (856), followed by Bhopal (132), Allahabad (92) and Jabalpur (76).

Here is a complete state-wise break-up of railway accident cases, number of injured and deaths:

The maximum number of railway accidents happened in June or 9.4% of the total. And most of these accidents or 17.5% of total were reported between 6am and 9am.

Railway crossing accidents

NCRB says a total of 2,547 railway crossing accidents led to 2,575 deaths and 126 injuries across the country in 2014. The railways crossing accidents have increased by 83.5% when compared to 2013.

Telangana had an unusually large number of railway crossing accidents with 1,061 or 41.65% incidents being reported from the state.