At least 12 passengers were killed, and six others injured on Wednesday after being struck by a train on an adjacent track near the Pardhade railroad station in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, approximately 410 kilometers northeast of Mumbai.

The victims were passengers of the Pushpak Express, which had come to an emergency stop after reports of sparks inside one of its coaches caused panic. In an attempt to escape a rumored fire, some passengers pulled the train’s emergency chain and jumped onto the tracks, where they were struck by the Karnataka Express, passing on an adjacent track.

Preliminary reports suggest that sparks were caused by either a "hot axle" or "brake-binding" (jamming) in one of the Pushpak Express coaches, according to railway officials.

"Our initial information is that the sparks created panic among passengers. Some jumped onto the tracks, unaware of the oncoming Karnataka Express," said railway spokesman Swapnil Nila.

Police officer Dattatraya Karale confirmed the casualties, stating that efforts were underway to assist the injured and investigate the incident.

The tragedy highlights ongoing challenges in India’s railway network, despite government efforts to improve safety. India operates the world's largest train network under one management, yet hundreds of accidents occur annually.

In 2023, a devastating collision between two passenger trains in eastern India claimed over 280 lives and injured hundreds, marking one of the deadliest rail disasters in decades.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has prioritized modernization of India’s British colonial-era railway system to address safety concerns and meet the demands of the country's 1.42 billion citizens, making it the world’s most populous nation.

An official investigation into the Jalgaon accident is underway, and authorities have reiterated their commitment to improving rail safety standards to prevent future tragedies. (ILKHA)