A rumour of a mobile phone blast and fire on the Khajuraho-Udaipur Intercity Express led to panic, forcing passengers to alight on the tracks. Four were run over by the Patalkot Express.

A 39-second video has emerged showing the precise moment the Patalkot Express mowed down passengers standing on the tracks near Morena on Sunday evening. The footage, recorded by a passenger on the stranded Khajuraho-Udaipur Intercity Express, captures over 100 people standing on the railway line with luggage and cloth bundles, unaware of the approaching danger.

The loco pilot of the Patalkot Express can be heard sounding the horn repeatedly, but the crowd fails to clear the track in time. Emergency brakes were applied, but the train, moving at speed, ploughed through before coming to a halt some distance ahead.

Rumor That Triggered the Tragedy

The chain on the Khajuraho-Udaipur Intercity Express (Train No. 19665) was pulled around 4:15 pm between Hetampur and Dholpur stations. According to railway officials, a passenger spread a rumour that a mobile phone had exploded inside a coach, causing a fire. Panic spread instantly.

Manoj Kumar Singh, Public Relations Officer of the Jhansi Mandal, confirmed that passengers pulled the chain and rushed out onto the track. "A six-member committee will inspect the site and record statements from officials and eyewitnesses. Action will follow based on their report," he said.

Bodies Scattered for Half a Kilometre

Four passengers were killed. Their remains were scattered over approximately 500 metres along the track. Rescue teams had to collect body parts into cloth bundles for post-mortem. Families who arrived later faced immense difficulty identifying their loved ones.

The deceased have been identified as Birmadevi (60) from Bikaner, Rajasthan; Shakuntala Singh (60) from Runakta, Agra; Afreen (35) and her four-year-old son Asad, residents of Sultanganj in Agra.

How the Accident Unfolded

A farmer collecting wood in the nearby jungle was the first to alert police. At the time, officers from Sarai Chhola and Civil Lines police stations were conducting an action against illegal sand dumping close by. They rushed to the spot immediately and informed railway authorities.

The Patalkot Express was on the adjacent track. Officials said the loco pilot had little time to react as passengers suddenly scrambled in different directions. The train passed through the crowd before stopping further down the line.

Compensation and Investigation

Morena SP Dharamraj Meena and Collector Yogesh Kumar Jangid reached the site on Sunday night. Post-mortems were completed and bodies handed over to families by Monday morning. "The affected families will receive every possible assistance," SP Meena assured.

Railway officials have announced financial compensation for the next of kin. The six-member committee will submit its report based on statements from railway officers and eyewitnesses.

Frequent Chain-Pulling Complaints

Amit Chaudhary, RPF Station House Officer, pointed out that chain-pulling complaints are common between small stations like Sikrauda, Ghera and Hetampur after trains leave Morena. "Authorised information will only come from the Jhansi Mandal office," he said.

Birmadevi was returning to Jaipur after visiting Bageshwar Dham with neighbours and relatives, according to a co-passenger named Ganesh. He said someone spread the fire rumour, causing people to jump off in fear.

The railway administration has urged passengers not to believe or spread unverified rumours inside trains. Officials said strict action would be taken against those found responsible for spreading panic.

Three coaches of the Ujjaini Express derailed at Rishikesh’s Yog Nagari railway station late Monday night during a routine shunting operation, triggering panic in the area but fortunately causing no injuries as the train was empty at the time.

According to railway officials, the incident occurred when the engine collided with a buffer stop (dead-end) at the end of the shunting line, leading to excessive pressure on the train coaches. As a result, one coach came completely off the tracks, while another reportedly bent from the middle due to the impact. The incident involved the train being shifted from the platform to a nearby shunting line for its scheduled departure the next morning.

How the derailment happened

The Ujjaini Express had arrived at Yog Nagari Rishikesh railway station on Monday evening at around 6:00 PM. It was scheduled to depart the next morning at approximately 6:15 AM. As part of standard procedure, the train was being moved to a shunting line at around 9:42 PM.

During this movement, the engine reportedly hit the buffer stop at the end of the track. The sudden impact created a powerful jerk across the rake, resulting in derailment of three coaches. Railway sources confirmed that the train was empty at the time, preventing any casualties.

Panic in nearby area after loud noise

Residents living near the railway yard reported hearing a loud crash-like sound at the time of the incident. The noise was strong enough to draw people out of their homes and shops. Visuals from the site showed one coach tilted off the tracks and another visibly damaged from the middle section. The derailment created temporary chaos near the station area, prompting railway staff and police to rush to the location.

Traffic disruption and emergency response

The incident also impacted local movement, with the nearby railway crossing at Raiwala remaining closed for nearly 40 minutes. This caused traffic disruption for commuters in Raiwala, Khadgaon, Gohri Mafi and nearby cantonment areas, affecting an estimated population of around 40,000 people. Railway engineering teams, RPF personnel, and police immediately reached the spot. Rescue equipment was mobilised to clear the tracks and remove the damaged coaches. Repair and restoration work continued late into the night. Officials said efforts were underway to restore normal operations, though the exact departure schedule of the train remained uncertain.

Railway statement and investigation

A senior official from the Moradabad railway division confirmed that the train had no passengers on board at the time of the incident and that it was being moved only for yard operations. The official stated that a technical investigation has been initiated to determine the exact cause of the accident, including whether it was due to mechanical failure, excessive force during shunting, or human error. Local police also confirmed that no casualties were reported.

About Ujjaini Express

The Ujjaini Express is an important train connecting Indore in Madhya Pradesh with Haridwar, Yog Nagari Rishikesh, and Dehradun in Uttarakhand. It operates twice a week, on Thursdays and Sundays, and is widely used by pilgrims and tourists travelling to Uttarakhand’s spiritual destinations.

Teen Girl Pushed from Running Train by Boyfriend in Chhattisgarh

14-year-old student Devika Verma allegedly thrown off Venganga Express after quarrel; body found near Bilaspur railway tracks; three detained including minor accomplice

In a shocking incident that has sent shockwaves across the region, a 14-year-old Class 8 student was allegedly pushed from a moving train by her boyfriend following a heated argument. The body of the minor girl, identified as Devika Verma, was recovered from railway tracks in Bilaspur district's Masturi police station area on March 29.

According to police sources, the girl had left her home in Chichola village under Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai district on the night of March 28 without informing her family. She was reportedly accompanied by her boyfriend Mohan Verma from Dongargarh and two others.

The group boarded the Venganga Express heading towards Korba. During the journey, a dispute broke out between Devika and Mohan. In a fit of rage, Mohan allegedly pushed the girl out of the moving train, leading to her death. The incident occurred in the Masturi area of Bilaspur.

Minor's Disappearance Reported

Devika's family grew worried when she did not return home. On March 29, they lodged a missing person complaint at the Khairagarh police station. Meanwhile, railway track workers spotted an unidentified girl's body near Kisana-Parsada village in Masturi. Police conducted panchnama and preserved the body in the mortuary while circulating her photo and video on social media for identification.

Local residents and nearby police stations were alerted. When news of the body reached Khairagarh, Devika's family members identified her through the images. The body was handed over to the family on March 31 after formal procedures.

Police Detain Three Accused

Acting swiftly, Khairagarh police questioned villagers and gathered leads. They took into custody Mohan Verma, Harish Verma, and one minor accomplice. Initial investigations revealed that all four had travelled from Khairagarh to Dongargarh before boarding the train to Korba.

Additional SP (Rural) Madhulika Singh confirmed that Devika was one of four sisters in the family. Her father Shailendra Verma works as a sweeper in a local high school, while her mother is employed as a cook in an anganwadi centre.

The case has now been transferred to Khairagarh police for further investigation. Officers are questioning the detained persons to establish the exact sequence of events. Police are expected to reveal full details of the case later in the day.

Family Mourns Loss

Devika's family is devastated by the tragedy. The minor was cremated on March 30 amid heavy grief. Relatives described her as a regular student who had gone to Khairagarh for her maternal uncle's wedding before the incident.

Safety Concerns Raised

The incident has once again highlighted concerns over safety of young girls travelling unaccompanied and the risks associated with elopement cases involving minors. Authorities are examining whether any local connections aided the accused, as reports suggest one of the accused had acquaintances at the police station where the initial complaint was filed.

Railway authorities have also been asked to review CCTV footage and passenger details from the Venganga Express to corroborate the sequence.

What Lies Ahead

Khairagarh police have registered a case of murder and abduction. Post-mortem reports are awaited to determine the exact cause of death, though preliminary findings point to injuries sustained from falling off the moving train. Strict action has been promised against all involved, including possible charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act given the minor girl's age.

Senior officials are monitoring the probe to ensure a thorough investigation. The case has sparked discussions on better vigilance in rural areas and the need for stricter monitoring of inter-district train travel by minors.

This tragic episode serves as a grim reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by adolescent girls in small towns across Chhattisgarh and the urgent need for community awareness on such issues.