Tag: Train Accidents

Major Train Accidents in India

India has unfortunately witnessed several major train accidents since gaining independence in 1947. These accidents have caused significant loss of life and infrastructure damage. While the list provided here highlights some notable incidents, it may not include all accidents, and it’s important to refer to reliable sources and official reports for comprehensive and up-to-date information. Here are some major train accidents that occurred in India after independence:

Peruman Train Accident (1956): On November 5, 1956, near Peruman, Kerala, the Bangalore Mail derailed, resulting in a tragic collision with an oncoming passenger train. This accident claimed the lives of 144 people and injured many others.

Ariyalur Train Accident (1956): On December 15, 1956, near Ariyalur, Tamil Nadu, two trains, the Sabari Express and the Bangalore Express, collided head-on due to a signal failure. The accident resulted in the deaths of over 140 passengers.

Midnapore Train Accident (2010): On May 28, 2010, the Howrah-Kurla Lokmanya Tilak Gyaneshwari Express derailed near Midnapore, West Bengal. Sabotage was identified as the cause of the derailment, leading to the deaths of 148 passengers and injuries to numerous others.

Kanpur Train Derailment (2016): On November 20, 2016, the Indore-Patna Express derailed near Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The accident caused the deaths of 150 passengers and injured many others. The exact cause of the derailment was under investigation.

Pukhrayan Train Derailment (2016): On the same day as the Kanpur derailment, near Pukhrayan, Uttar Pradesh, the Indore-Patna Express derailed, resulting in one of the deadliest train accidents in recent times. This accident claimed the lives of 152 passengers and caused injuries to numerous individuals.

Amritsar Train Accident (2018): On October 19, 2018, during a Dussehra festival celebration near Amritsar, Punjab, a speeding train struck a crowd that was standing on railway tracks, leading to a tragic incident. The accident resulted in the deaths of around 60 people and injured many others.

Raebareli Train Accident (2010): On October 10, 2010, near Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh, the Goa Express collided with a stationary Mewar Express due to signal failure. The accident caused the deaths of 22 people and injured several others.

Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar Hirakhand Express Derailment (2017): On January 21, 2017, the Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar Hirakhand Express derailed near Kuneru, Andhra Pradesh. The accident led to the deaths of 41 passengers and caused injuries to numerous individuals.

Guwahati-Puri Express Derailment (1999): On September 13, 1999, the Guwahati-Puri Express derailed near Gaisal, Assam, resulting in a collision with an incoming freight train. This accident claimed the lives of 285 people and injured more than 300.

Khanna Rail Accident (1998): On November 26, 1998, near Khanna, Punjab, the Jammu Tawi-Sealdah Express collided with two derailed wagons, causing a massive fire. The accident resulted in the loss of 212 lives and injuries to several others.

These accidents underscore the importance of continuous efforts to improve railway safety, infrastructure maintenance, and the implementation of advanced technologies to prevent such incidents

Top 10 Train Accidents in India


Train accidents can have devastating consequences, leading to loss of life, injuries, and damage to infrastructure. While I can provide information on notable train accidents in India, it’s important to note that this list may not be exhaustive and may not include the most recent accidents. It’s always advisable to refer to reliable news sources and official reports for the most up-to-date and accurate information. Here are details about ten significant train accidents in India:

Gaisal Train Disaster (1999): On August 2, 1999, the Gaisal Express derailed in Gaisal, Assam, resulting in a collision with an incoming freight train. The accident claimed the lives of 285 people and injured more than 300.

Khanna Rail Accident (1998): On November 26, 1998, near Khanna, Punjab, the Jammu Tawi-Sealdah Express collided with two derailed wagons, causing a massive fire. The accident resulted in the loss of 212 lives and injuries to several others.

Firozabad Train Collision (1995): On August 20, 1995, in Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh, the Purushottam Express collided with a stationary Kalindi Express due to a signal error. The accident caused the deaths of 358 people and injured over 400.

Rafiganj Train Derailment (2002): On September 10, 2002, near Rafiganj, Bihar, the Rajdhani Express derailed after hitting a derailed goods train. The incident resulted in the loss of 130 lives and injured several passengers.

Kanpur Train Derailment (2016): On November 20, 2016, the Indore-Patna Express derailed near Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The accident led to the deaths of 150 passengers and injured many others. The exact cause of the derailment was under investigation.

Pukhrayan Train Derailment (2016): On November 20, 2016, near Pukhrayan, Uttar Pradesh, the Indore-Patna Express derailed, resulting in one of the deadliest train accidents in recent times. The accident claimed the lives of 152 passengers and caused injuries to numerous individuals.

Howrah-New Delhi Rajdhani Express Accident (1991): On September 6, 1991, the Howrah-New Delhi Rajdhani Express collided with a derailed freight train near Khanna, Punjab. The accident led to the deaths of 57 people and injured many others.

Awadh-Assam Express Collision (1995): On April 21, 1995, the Awadh-Assam Express collided with the Brahmaputra Mail near Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. The accident resulted in the loss of 57 lives and caused injuries to several passengers.

Midnapore Train Derailment (2010): On May 28, 2010, the Howrah-Kurla Lokmanya Tilak Gyaneshwari Express derailed near Midnapore, West Bengal. The accident was caused by sabotage, resulting in the deaths of 148 passengers and injuries to many others.

Kalka Mail Train Accident (2011): On July 10, 2011, the Howrah-Delhi Kalka Mail derailed near Fatehpur, Uttar Pradesh. The accident led to the loss of 69 lives and injured numerous passengers.


The death toll in the three-train accident at Bahanaga Bazar station in Odisha’s Balasore rose to 288 on Saturday and left over 1,000 injured, with a preliminary probe implying human error in the deadliest railway tragedy in 30 years. Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw who reviewed the restoration work at the Balasore triple train collision site on Sunday, said that the accident that claimed the lives of 288 passengers happened due to a change in electronic interlocking. 

It’s important to note that these accidents are tragic events that highlight the need for continuous efforts in improving railway safety, infrastructure maintenance, and implementation of advanced technologies to prevent such incidents in the future.