MIRZAPUR, Nov. 5 — Four passengers were killed Wednesday when they were struck by an oncoming train while crossing tracks at Chunar Railway Station, officials said. The victims had come to the area to take a holy bath on the occasion of Kartik Purnima.
Amit Singh, public relations officer of NCR Prayagraj Division, said the passengers alighted from the Chopan Express on the track instead of the platform. “The passengers got off the Chopan Express on the track and were hit by the approaching Netaji Express,” Singh told PTI.
The Chopan Express had stopped at platform four, and a foot overbridge was available, but the victims chose to descend onto the tracks, according to railway sources.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the loss and directed officials to reach the site immediately and expedite relief and rescue operations. National and state disaster response teams were deployed to assist at the accident scene.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances that led the pilgrims to alight on the track, a practice railway officials have repeatedly warned against. The incident underscores ongoing safety concerns, particularly during festival periods when stations see large crowds.
