Six Pilgrims Crushed by Kalka-Howrah Express in Mirzapur During Kartik Purnima Rush
Six devotees killed crossing tracks at Chunar during Kartik Purnima
Six pilgrims from Sonbhadra were crushed to death by the Kalka-Howrah Express at Chunar Junction, Mirzapur, on November 5, 2025, while trying to reach the Ganga for Kartik Purnima rituals. Having alighted from the Gomo-Prayagraj Express at 9:15 a.m., the group ignored the foot overbridge and crossed the tracks from the wrong side. The speeding train on platform three struck them instantly, scattering mutilated bodies across the station. Eyewitnesses described blood-soaked platforms and screams piercing the morning air.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed deep sorrow and immediately ordered SDRF and NDRF teams to the site. He announced ₹2 lakh compensation to each deceased family and free treatment for the injured. Union Minister Anupriya Patel, the local MP, shared her grief on X, directing officials to expedite relief. GRP Inspector Raghavendra Singh confirmed identities are being verified through Aadhaar and local records, with post-mortems underway.
This disaster came just 24 hours after a deadly collision in Chhattisgarh. On November 4, a MEMU passenger train rammed a stationary goods train near Bilaspur, killing 11—including loco pilot Vidya Sagar—and injuring 20. One coach climbed atop a wagon in the violent crash. Injured passengers were rushed to Apollo Hospital and CIMS; the line was restored by dawn.
Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai announced ₹5 lakh for the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured, ordering a high-level CRS probe into signal failure. Former CM Bhupesh Baghel slammed the government for prioritizing coal freight over passenger safety. The back-to-back tragedies have sparked national outrage over railway safety.
With Kartik Purnima drawing millions to ghats and trains packed beyond capacity, authorities now face urgent calls for AI signals, stricter footbridge enforcement, and crowd management. For the grieving families, no compensation can replace lost lives.
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