Chhattisgarh train collision kills 8; rescue ops continue in Bilaspur

“The death toll stands at eight. Two passengers are still trapped, and 16–17 others are seriously injured. This is a major accident. Rescue operations are underway,” said Bilaspur District Collector Sanjay Agrawal.

The collision was so powerful that the front coaches of the passenger train were completely mangled, with visuals from the site showing the engine and leading bogies crushed beyond recognition.

Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), railway officials, and the local administration rushed to the scene immediately. An infant was among those rescued safely.

Doctors and medical staff treated critically injured passengers inside the train coaches, as the wreckage made quick evacuation difficult. Dozens of ambulances were deployed, and nearby hospitals were placed on alert.

The crash severely damaged overhead electric wires and the signalling system, bringing traffic on the busy Bilaspur–Katni route to a halt.

Several express and passenger trains were cancelled or diverted, while alternative arrangements were made for stranded travellers.

Technical teams worked through the night to clear the tracks and restore power and signal systems.

A high-level inquiry has been ordered by the Railway Ministry to determine the cause of the accident.

Preliminary reports suggest a possible signalling failure or human error, though officials said the exact reason will be confirmed only after a detailed investigation.

Railway helpline numbers

The Indian Railways has released helpline numbers for passengers and families seeking information:

Champa Junction: 808595652
Raigarh: 975248560
Pendra Road: 8294730162
At accident site: 9752485499, 8602007202