Several passengers were killed and others injured after stepping off a halted train and being struck by another train in Madhya Pradesh’s Morena district on Sunday, according to preliminary information released by railway authorities.
The incident took place near Hetampur railway station in the Jhansi Division of North Central Railway. Train No. 19665 Khajuraho-Udaipur Intercity Express had come to a halt at around 4.15 pm.
Initial reports suggested that rumours of a fire onboard the train sparked panic among passengers, leading some of them to disembark. However, railway officials later clarified that the train had stopped after the alarm chain was pulled in a general coach.
According to preliminary findings, several passengers moved onto a nearby railway track while the train remained stationary. During this time, Train No. 20424 Firozpur-Seoni Patalkot Express, travelling on the adjacent up line, reportedly struck a number of them.
The collision resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries. Emergency response teams, railway officials, police personnel and district administration officers rushed to the scene to carry out rescue and relief operations.
Railway authorities said the exact sequence of events is still being investigated and further details are awaited. The official casualty figure has not yet been confirmed.