MIRZAPUR, UTTAR PRADESH — A tragic accident at Chunar Railway Station in Mirzapur district claimed the lives of at least Eight pilgrims this morning after they were struck by the speeding Kalka-Howrah Mail (also known as the Netaji Express) while attempting to cross the railway tracks.
The victims, who were travelling to the Ganges River for the auspicious Kartik Purnima holy bath, were run over around 9:15 a.m., causing immediate chaos and a massive emergency response at the station.
According to reports District Magistrate Pawan Kumar Gangwar confirmed the fatalities and provided details on how the tragedy unfolded.
The pilgrims had arrived at Chunar station on the Gomoh-Prayagraj Barwadih Passenger train (also identified as the Chopan-Prayagraj Express) from Sonbhadra, which halted on Platform Number 4. Due to the heavy rush associated with the festival, the pilgrims disembarked and attempted to take a shortcut by crossing the tracks to reach Platform Number 3, instead of using the available foot overbridge.
District Magistrate Gangwar stated: “Instead of alighting on Platform Number 4, they stepped down on the opposite side and attempted to cross the tracks to reach Platform Number 3, where they were hit by the passing Kalka Mail train,” which was travelling at high speed on the main line and did not have a scheduled stop at Chunar.
The bodies of the deceased were recovered by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) and sent for post-mortem examination. Several other passengers suffered injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals.