In a tragic incident on Wednesday in western India, at least 12 train passengers lost their lives after jumping from their coaches in panic over a rumored fire. The passengers, disembarking from the Pushpak Express, were subsequently struck by another train on an adjacent track, according to reports from the Press Trust of India. This calamity unfolded near the Pardhade railroad station in Maharashtra, located 410 kilometers (255 miles) southwest of Mumbai, India’s financial capital.

The panic was triggered by sparks inside one of the coaches, which were attributed either to a ‘hot axle’ or ‘brake-binding’. Passengers pulled the emergency chain, prompting many to jump onto the tracks. Unfortunately, those who did so were hit by the Karnataka Express, which was passing by on the adjacent track, as reported by railway spokesman PTI.

As recounted by police officer Dattatraya Karale, at least six additional individuals were injured and transported to nearby hospitals. This incident raises serious concerns regarding rail safety in India, where reports indicate that hundreds of accidents occur annually on the largest train network under a single management worldwide. Despite ongoing efforts by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to modernize the British colonial-era rail system, incidents like these continue to underscore the urgent need for improved safety measures.

Notably, this accident reproduces familiar patterns of railway mishaps, including a recent catastrophic collision in 2023, which resulted in over 280 fatalities and hundreds more injured in what was deemed one of India's deadliest railway disasters in decades. For further details, see coverage by CBS and CNN.