On Wednesday, October 11, 2023, the North-East Express train, bound for Assam state from New Delhi, derailed near the Raghunathpur railroad station located in the Buxar district of Bihar state, India.
The derailment caused four fatalities and injured approximately 70 passengers. In the wake of the accident, medical assistance was dispatched immediately, with ambulances and medical teams arriving promptly. Nearby medical facilities were also alerted to accommodate the injured.
During the incident, six coaches of the train went off the tracks. D.K. Pathak, a railroad official traveling on the train, noted that a significant number of injuries originated from one particular coach. Investigations are ongoing to ascertain the root cause of the derailment, with potential track defects being a possible factor.
A relief train was readied at Danapur to facilitate the onward journey of stranded passengers. Indian Railways has committed to providing compensation to the victims and their families.
Recurring train accidents, such as a major one in June 2022 that resulted in over 230 deaths due to a signal system error, continue to raise concerns about the state and safety of the Indian railway infrastructure.
