10 deadliest train accidents in India

The number of deaths from train accidents in India raises question over railway safety. Top10wala.in has compiled a list of 10 major train accidents in India with the number of death tolls and reasons behind those accidents.

1. June 6, 1981: Bihar train disaster (500-800 Deaths)

A passenger train fell into Baghmati river near Saharsa Bihar. Estimates of total deaths range from 500 to 800 or more. It is by far one of the worst train accidents in India and in the world as well. Some say the accident took place because of cyclone while other says because of flash flooding. As it was raining heavily driver, suddenly a buffalo on the bridge and sudden break caused the train to fell into the river.

2. August 20, 1995: Firozabad rail disaster (358 Deaths)

Delhi-bound Purushottam Express rams into the stationary Kalindi Express near Firozabad in Uttar Pradesh which killed more than 350 people from both trains.

A manual error caused the incident. Kalindi Express's break was jammed after striking a cow and was stationary on track. At the same time, Purushottam express was given permission to run on the same track. Purushottam express hit Kalindi express from behind which caused the disaster.

3. August 2, 1999: Collision of Awadh–Assam Express and Brahmaputra Mail (268 Deaths)

268 people were killed and 359 injured in a collision involving Awadh–Assam Express and Brahmaputra Mail at Gaisal in North Frontier Railway's Katihar division.

Mail was carrying Indian soldier and servicemen from Assam to Border while Awadh Assam Express was going Guwahati and was stationary at a station near Guwahati called Gaisal. Due to the manual error of Signal Failing Brahmaputra Mail was given green signal to go ahead on the same track. It hit Awad Assam Express from the front at 1:30am. The engine of the Avadh Assam was thrown high in the air, and passengers from both trains were blown into neighbouring buildings and fields by the force of the explosion.

4. November 26, 1998: Khanna rail disaster (212 Deaths)

Jammu Tawi–Sealdah Express rams into three derailed bogies of Amritsar-bound Frontier Golden Temple Mail at Khanna, Punjab.

Golden Temple mail was derailed because of broken rail and at the same time Jammu Tawi–Sealdah Express came from behind hitting the six derailed coaches.

5. May 28, 2010 – Gyaneshwari Express train derailment (170 Deaths)

A suspected attack by Communist Party of India (Maoist) kills at least 170 people when the Mumbai-bound Howrah Kurla Lokmanya Tilak Gyaneshwari Super Deluxe Express is derailed by an explosion (or by a sabotage) between Khemashuli and Sardiha in West Midnapore district at 1:30am midnight, and then struck by a goods train.

6. December 23, 1964 – Pamban-Dhanuskodi passenger train (150 Deaths)

In Rameswaram cyclone (also known as the Dhanushkodi cyclone) the Pamban-Dhanuskodi passenger train washed away by killing all 150 passengers on board. Some say that it was an offseason that was why there were only 150 on board, else this could have been deadlier.

7. September 9, 2002, Howrah-New Delhi Rajdhani Express (140 Deaths)

At 10:40pm Howrah-New Delhi Rajdhani Express derailed near Rafiganj station between Gaya and Dehri-on-Sone stations, resulting in over 140 dead. The rail incident was caused by manual fault because the same track was considered weak and it was from the British era. Heavy rain caused the crack in the track which was the reason behind derailment of Rajdhani running at 100km/h.

8. September 28, 1954 – Accident In Hyderabad (139 Deaths)

A train crashed into the Yasanti river, about 75 km south of Hyderabad, when the bridge collapsed. Total 139 people were killed and more than 100 injured.

9. September 2, 1956 – Near Mahbubnagar (125 Deaths)

A bridge collapsed under a train between Jadcherla and Mahbubnagar, about 100 km from Hyderabad leaving at least 125 dead and 22 injured.

10. July 17, 1937 – 119 Deaths

An express train from Calcutta plunged down an embankment near Bihta station, about 15 miles from Patna. At least 119 people were killed, and 180 others injured.