RAIPUR, CHHATTISGARH: The death toll from the devastating train accident in Bilaspur district has risen to eleven after three more victims succumbed to their injuries on Wednesday, officials confirmed. The collision, which occurred on November 4 near Gatora railway station, also left at least twenty others injured, including a toddler.
According to railway authorities, the tragedy unfolded when the Korba–Bilaspur passenger train crashed into a stationary freight train on the same track. The impact was so intense that the passenger train’s engine mounted the rear of the goods train, severely crushing several coaches and trapping passengers inside. Rescue teams used gas cutters and cranes to reach survivors from the mangled compartments.
Scene of Destruction
The accident site, located about eight kilometers from Bilaspur Junction in the Lal Khadan area, presented a scene of chaos and despair on Tuesday evening. Eyewitnesses described a loud, thunderous crash followed by cries for help as local residents and railway staff rushed to assist.
“Many of the injured were bleeding and trapped under the twisted metal. It took hours to bring them out,” said a rescue worker at the scene.
Among the injured are seven women and a one-and-a-half-year-old boy, whose identity is yet to be established. All victims are being treated at three major hospitals in Bilaspur, where doctors said several remain in critical condition.
Probe Points to Possible Signal Failure
Preliminary reports suggest that a signal failure might have caused the passenger train to proceed onto an occupied track, leading to the fatal collision. A senior railway official said an internal investigation has been ordered to determine the exact sequence of events and identify lapses in the signaling system or human error.
“The inquiry committee has been asked to submit its report at the earliest,” the official added, noting that railway safety personnel have been deployed to inspect the site.
Government Response and Assistance
Railway Minister and senior officials expressed condolences to the victims’ families and assured that compensation and medical aid are being provided. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local authorities coordinated overnight relief operations, which continued into Wednesday morning.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has directed officials to ensure the best possible medical care for the injured and promised strict action against those found responsible for negligence.
A Tragic Reminder
The Bilaspur train tragedy has reignited concerns over railway safety and outdated signaling systems across several routes in central India. Experts have once again called for the modernization of communication networks and stricter adherence to operational protocols.
As investigators sift through the wreckage for answers, grieving families wait for closure and accountability. For now, Bilaspur mourns yet another tragedy on its tracks—a painful reminder of how a single technical lapse can turn an ordinary journey into a catastrophe.
