Kavaraipettai train accident; No casualties; 12 coaches derailed; Passengers are being shifted to nearby hospitals

Chennai:  "Kavaraipettai" train accident; No casualty was reported and at least 12 coaches of the Superfast Express derailed.

The incident occurred at Kavarpetta under Chennai Railway Division when train number 12578 Mysuru-Darbhanga Bagmati Superfast Express passed Ponneri station at around 8:27 pm and gave green signal to run through Kavarpetta, the next station on the mainline. The train crew felt a heavy jolt while entering the Kavarpetta station, and instead of proceeding to the main line, entered the loop line and hit a stationary goods train.

At least 12 coaches of the Mysuru-Darbhanga Bagmati Superfast Express derailed following the collision.  The engine caught fire  and a parcel van adjacent to the engine caught fire but was quickly extinguished.

No casualties have been reported so far. All injured passengers are being shifted to nearby hospitals for further treatment. Train traffic in both directions has been closed," CPRO South Western Railway said in a statement.

Tiruvallur District Collector T Prabhushankar informed that local hospitals near Kavarapetta are ready and medical relief vans and rescue teams from Chennai Central have been sent to the spot. Senior state officials and Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Chennai and Southern Railway also reached the spot.

A few trains including Dhanbad-Alappuzha Express and Jabalpur-Madura Superfast Special trains were diverted. Meanwhile, alternative arrangements have been made to transport or accommodate passengers.