New Delhi:

The railway derailment in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvallur district – after a passenger train travelling at 75 km per hour rammed into a stationary goods train – was caused by a “mismatch between signal and route”, RN Singh, General Manager of Southern Railways, told NDTV Saturday morning.

The passenger train – the Mysuru-Darbhanga Bagmati Express – should have been switched to the main line but “something wrong happened”, Mr Singh said. The train was inadvertently switched to a closed section of the track on which the goods train was parked.

It is too early to say exactly what happened, Mr Singh said, noting that signal had been set for the main line while the track switched the train to the closed loop.

“The train was headed to Gudur (in Andhra Pradesh). It stopped at Kavaraippettai Railway Station in Tiruvallur, where a goods train also headed to Gudur was on the loop line.” 

“It (the express) was given priority (and) was supposed to pass through the main line,” he explained, “But despite the signal clearance for the main line, the passenger train entered the loop line and hit the goods train from behind, leading to the engine derailment.”

Officials said the later reported a ‘heavy jerk’ before entering the loop line.

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Drone visuals from Chennai-Guddur section between Ponneri- Kavarappettai railway stations (46 km from Chennai) of Chennai Division where Train no. 12578 Mysuru-Darbhanga Express had a rear collision with a goods train, yesterday evening.

12-13 coaches of… pic.twitter.com/QnKmyiSVY7

— ANI (@ANI) October 12, 2024

The Railway Safety Commissioner will ascertain the exact reasons, he added.

The accident led to 12 coaches being derailed and 19 people injured; over 1,300 passengers were on the express train. A power car also caught fire.

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Latest drone visuals from Chennai-Guddur section between Ponneri- Kavarappettai railway stations (46 km from Chennai) of Chennai Division where Train no. 12578 Mysuru-Darbhanga Express had a rear collision with a goods train, last evening.

12-13 coaches… pic.twitter.com/F7kp7bgLdV

— ANI (@ANI) October 12, 2024

Fortunately no deaths have been reported so far and the injured are receiving treatment at state-run hospitals. The other – now stranded – passengers were taken via buses to state capital Chennai and accommodated on a special train to their respective destinations.

The derailment took place around 40 km from Chennai.

As a result of the derailment and ongoing repair work multiple trains have been cancelled or diverted; at least 18 trains scheduled for the day have been cancelled.

A high-level inquiry has been ordered, while Chief Minister MK Stalin has expressed shock and asked for rescue operations to be sped up.

Officials have said restoration could take up to 24 hours, i.e., till Saturday evening.

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A passenger train going from Mysore to Darbhanga has collided with a stationary goods train in Tamil Nadu. The parcel van of the express train caught fire and some passengers are reportedly injured. At least 12 coaches of the passenger train have also derailed. 

Here are the live updates on Tamil Nadu train collision:

Tamil Nadu Train Collision Live:
The engine of the passenger train, which was coming at a speed of 75 km per hour, was derailed and fire broke out in parcel van of the express tarin.

Tamil Nadu Train Collision Live:
The injured passengers have been sent to hospitals for treament. At least twelve coaches of the passenger train derailed in the accident. 

Tamil Nadu Train Collision Live: NDRF Teams Have Reached The Site

Tamil Nadu Train Collision Live: Helpline Numbers Have Been Issued

#BREAKING | Tamil Nadu Train Accident: 12578 Mysore-Darbhanga Bagmati Express collides with the goods train

Helpline Numbers

Chennai Division: 04425354151, 04424354995
Samastipur: 06274 8102918840
Darbhanga: 06272 8210335395
Danapur: 9031069105
Deen Dayal Upadhyay:…

– NDTV (@ndtv) October 11, 2024

Tamil Nadu Train Collision Live:
Ambulances and doctors have reached the accident site. Most passengers have been rescued from the train. Arrangements are being to send passengers to their respective destinations through other means. 

Tamil Nadu Train Collision Live:

According to sources, the crew experienced a heavy jerk as the train entered a loop line and collided with the stationary goods train at 8:30 pm.

The General Manager of Southern Railway, the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Chennai Division, and other senior officials are heading to the accident site.

Tamil Nadu Train Collision Live: Visuals From The Accident Site

#WATCH | Six coaches of Train No.12578 (MYS-DBG) Mysore to Darbhanga were derailed after it collided with a goods train at around 20.30 hours. No causalities were reported. A few people were injured. The medical relief van and rescue team have started to move from Chennai… https://t.co/X9nIQ6uk3Upic.twitter.com/LPqfeXsF68

– ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2024

Tamil Nadu Train Collision Live: Visuals from the spot

Tamil Nadu Train Collision Live:
According to sources, two AC coaches of the express train have caught fire. 

Tamil Nadu Train Collision Live:
The express train and goods train collided in Tamil Nadu’s Triuvallur district. Rescue teams have been rushed to the accident site.