Four pilgrims die after being run over by train in Bihar

The deceased, who were passing through a railway bridge over Daha river, could not spot the approaching Siwan-Gorakhpur passenger train due to dense morning fog.

A passenger train ran over five persons, who were crossing railway tracks over a narrow rail bridge in the early hours of Friday in Bihar’s Siwan district.

Siwan-Gorakhpur passenger train runs over five persons who were crossing railways tracks over a rail bridge in Bihar. (AFP file photo for representational purpose only.)

Four of them died on the spot while another was seriously injured, an officer of the North Eastern Railway (NER) said.

Siwan district magistrate Mahendra Kumar also confirmed the death of four people and said minor, who was seriously injured in the incident, had been referred to the Patna Medical College Hospital.

He said a compensation of Rs 4 lakh each would be given to the family of the deceased.

The incident took place at 5am near Siwan Kacheri station, about 150 km north of state capital Patna, when a group of 11 pilgrims, who were passing through the railway bridge over Daha river, could not spot the approaching Siwan-Gorakhpur passenger train due to dense morning fog.

Six pilgrims saved their lives by jumping into the river.

The pilgrims from Hasna village in the neighbouring Gopalganj district were on way to a dargah at Karbala village of Siwan to perform a ritual.

Those killed have been identified as Khusboo Nishar, Khatmula Nisha, Aslam Ansar and Saraswati Devi.

NER chief spokesperson Sanjay Yadav said the incident was a case of illegal trespass and the railways would not pay any compensation.

In October last year, four women were killed when they came under the wheels of a running train in Munger district after they failed to notice it due to dense fog. The victims were on way to Munger Ghat to take a holy dip in the Ganga river ahead of the four-day Chhath festival.