421 deaths from 393 rail accidents in 2019: report
At least 421 people, including 46 children, were killed and 366 were injured in 393 railway accidents between January 1 and December 31 last year, Shipping and Communication Reporters Forum (SCRF) said in a press release.
SCRF, a platform of journalists, found the figures while compiling a report titled “Annual Railway Accident Report 2019”. The organisation prepared the report based on news covered by 24 national dailies, 10 regional newspapers, and nine online news portals and news agencies.
Most of the accidents occurred while pedestrians were trying to cross railway lines and level crossings, the press release said.
SCRF’s observation identified seven major reasons behind the railway accidents in the country.
These are: (1) unapproved and unplanned rail crossings, (2) unguarded rail crossings, (3) continuation of economic-lifetime expired rail engines, (4) use of mobile phones while crossing rail tracks, (5) faulty signaling systems and weak infrastructure, (6) lack of skill and negligence of technical staff and drivers, and (7) lack of adequate machinery and workforce.
According to the report, the highest number of rail accidents occurred in the month of November, which saw 54 accidents.
November was also the month that saw the most deaths as 68 people died in rail accidents during the month, according to the report.
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