11 Dead, Several Injured in Chhattisgarh Freight Train Collision

Chhattisgarh is mourning the loss of 11 lives following a severe train accident near Bilaspur on Tuesday. A MEMU passenger train, scheduled to reach Bilaspur from Gevra Road, collided violently with a parked freight train. The collision happened around 4 PM on the up line between Gatora and Bilaspur stations, a section managed by South East Central Railway. The tragic event has left 20 people injured, adding to the gravity of the situation. Shocking visuals from the scene depicted a passenger coach precariously perched on top of the freight wagons, underscoring the brute force of the impact. The ongoing investigation is focused on understanding how both trains ended up on the same track, with investigators exploring potential signaling system failures or instances of human oversight. In response to the disaster, the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh has announced Rs. 5 lakh compensation for the next of kin of those who died and Rs. 50,000 for those who sustained injuries, also ensuring they receive free medical attention. Train operations have now recommenced following the conclusion of rescue and restoration work.