India has witnessed numerous devastating train disasters throughout its history, each leaving a profound impact on the nation. The most recent addition to this tragic list occurred in 2023, when the Coromandel Express collided with a goods train in Balasore, leading to a triple train crash involving the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express. Over 300 fatalities and more than 1,000 injuries were reported. Here are some of the notable train disasters in India:
- 2023: The Coromandel Express collided with a goods train in Balasore, triggering a triple train crash with the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express. Over 300 fatalities and more than 1,000 injuries were reported.
- 2016: The Indore-Patna Express derailed in Uttar Pradesh, resulting in 146 deaths as carriages collided.
- 2010: Near Kolkata, a train derailed and crashed into a freight train, leaving 146 dead and over 200 injured. Authorities attributed the incident to sabotage by Maoist rebels.
- 2002: The Rajdhani Express from Calcutta to New Delhi plunged into the Dhabi river, claiming at least 120 lives. Railway authorities cited sabotage as the cause.
- 2006: Terrorist attacks on trains and stations in Mumbai, attributed to Pakistani intelligence and Lashkar-e-Taiba, killed 186 and injured 700.
- 1999: A collision between two trains in Gaisal, West Bengal, resulted in 285 fatalities and 312 injuries.
- 1998: The Sealdah Express collided with a derailed train in Punjab, killing at least 210 people.
- 1995: Near Agra, a collision between two trains at Ferozabad led to more than 300 deaths and 344 injuries.
- 1981: India’s deadliest rail accident occurred in Bihar when a train derailed and plunged into a river, claiming over 800 lives.
- 1956: A train fell into the Marudyar river after a bridge collapsed due to flooding, resulting in at least 154 deaths and 115 injuries.
- 1954: The derailment of a train traveling between Madras and New Delhi after a bridge collapse killed at least 137 people and injured 100.
These tragic incidents highlight the ongoing challenges faced by India’s railway system and emphasize the urgent need for improved safety measures and infrastructure to prevent future disasters.