No fewer than 13 passengers have died, and five others injured in a tragic incident in India's Maharashtra state.
The victims were struck by a train on an adjacent track after they disembarked their Mumbai-bound train due to rumours of a fire on board, railway officials reported.
The incident occurred near Pachora in Jalgaon district, approximately 400 km from Mumbai. The train came to an emergency halt after someone pulled the emergency cord, prompting passengers to flee in panic. It remains unclear whether a fire had actually broken out.
India's rail network, despite recent modernisation efforts, continues to suffer from safety concerns.
A $30 billion (£24 billion) programme has been launched to enhance the railway infrastructure, but accidents persist. Notably, a catastrophic three-train collision in Odisha in 2023 claimed nearly 300 lives.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed his grief over the incident in a statement on X, saying he was "deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives."
He confirmed that eight ambulances were dispatched and local hospitals were on standby to treat the injured.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has previously stated the need for railway modernisation to improve safety, connectivity, and economic growth.
Incidents like this underline the ongoing challenges facing the country's railway system.
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