What started as an ordinary journey aboard the Pushpak Express turned into a harrowing experience for its passengers. Departing from Lucknow Junction around 9:40 pm on Tuesday, the train was thrown into turmoil when rumors of a fire sparked panic, triggering chaos and a desperate scramble for safety.
In a tragic turn of events, at least 12 passengers lost their lives on Wednesday evening near Jalgaon district in Maharashtra. They jumped from the moving train, fearing a fire, only to be struck by another train on the adjacent tracks, officials reported.
Pooja Singh, a 19-year-old student from Lucknow studying in Pune, was traveling with her mother when the incident unfolded. “We were asleep when sudden screams woke us up. Someone shouted about a fire on the train. My mother told me to jump for safety, but I froze in fear. I watched helplessly as people standing on the tracks were hit by another train. It was all over in moments,” she shared.
Suresh Gupta, a businessman from Lucknow’s Chowk area traveling to Mumbai, described the panic inside the coach. “Someone yelled about a fire, and I saw smoke. People began running frantically, pulling the chain to stop the train and opening doors. Some jumped off in fear. I decided to stay on board, unsure if the smoke was from braking or an actual fire,” he recounted.
Another passenger, Rajiv Sharma from Gomti Nagar, witnessed the chaos near the sleeper coach door. “When people started shouting about a fire, someone pulled the chain. As the train slowed, passengers began jumping off. I saw another train approaching and shouted for people to move, but no one paid attention,” he said.
Shamim Ahmed, traveling with his brother Anees, shared their experience from a relief camp set up by the Army near the accident site. “A sudden jolt threw passengers from their berths in our reserved coach. Panic spread quickly, but if people had remained calm, this tragedy might have been avoided,” Shamim said. Anees added, “The loco pilot’s sharp braking added to the fear, and no one knew what was happening.”
Shoaib, a resident of Gonda, was traveling in the same coach with his family of six. He recalled the moment the train reached Jalgaon. “We were seated comfortably when the train suddenly stopped, and chaos erupted. People screamed and rushed to jump off,” he said.
Expressing his grief, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath called the incident “extremely sad and heartbreaking” and directed authorities to provide proper treatment for the injured.
The North Eastern Railways (NER) has set up a helpline at Lucknow Junction for assistance, which can be reached at 8957409292.
The Pushpak Express, named after the mythological flying chariot, operates between Lucknow Junction and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in Mumbai. Known for being the fastest train on this route, it is a preferred choice for many commuters traveling between the two cities.