In a heartbreaking incident that has shattered a quiet Bihar community, four teenagers lost their lives and another was critically injured when a high-speed Vande Bharat Express train struck them while they attempted to cross railway tracks in the early hours of Friday. The tragedy unfolded around 4 a.m. on the bustling Katihar-Jogbani rail section in Purnea district, highlighting the perilous risks faced by pedestrians in rural India where safety infrastructure often lags behind rapid modernization.
Station Manager Munna Kumar of Purnea Junction provided a chilling account of the events. "A group of five youngsters from the Kasba block were hurrying across the tracks, likely heading to school or a local errand," Kumar explained to reporters. "The pitch-black night, combined with overcast skies from recent monsoon remnants, made visibility near zero. The Vande Bharat, known for its swift speeds of up to 160 kmph, approached without warning, and they simply couldn't react in time." The victims, aged between 14 and 18, were inseparable friends from the same neighborhood, their youthful dreams cut short in an instant of misfortune.
The lone survivor, whose identity remains undisclosed for privacy reasons, was rushed to Purnea Medical College and Hospital, where doctors described his condition as stable but serious, with multiple fractures and internal injuries. Eyewitnesses from nearby villages reported hearing the train's emergency brakes screeching through the fog, followed by a haunting silence that soon gave way to cries for help. Rescue teams, including local police and railway officials, arrived within minutes, but the damage was irreversible—the bodies were recovered scattered along the tracks, a grim reminder of the fragility of life on India's expanding rail network.
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Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, no stranger to addressing the state's frequent rail mishaps, issued a poignant condolence message that resonated deeply with grieving families. "I am deeply saddened by this devastating loss of young lives. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families during this unimaginable time of sorrow," the CM stated, also extending wishes for a swift recovery to the injured youth. Kumar further prayed for divine strength to comfort the affected households, underscoring his government's commitment to enhancing rail safety. In recent years, his administration has pushed for initiatives like elevated footbridges and awareness campaigns, but critics argue that implementation in remote districts like Purnea remains woefully inadequate.
The Vande Bharat Express, India's flagship semi-high-speed train service launched in 2019, symbolizes the nation's ambitious push toward modern infrastructure, connecting major cities with air-conditioned comfort and onboard Wi-Fi. Yet, this incident joins a string of tragedies involving the fleet, including a fatal derailment in Odisha earlier this year and multiple pedestrian collisions attributed to unauthorized crossings.
According to railway data, over 40,000 lives are lost annually on Indian tracks due to trespassing, with Bihar accounting for a disproportionate share—more than 1,500 deaths in the last fiscal year alone. Experts point to factors like insufficient fencing, poor lighting at rural stations, and a cultural reliance on shortcuts across tracks as root causes, urging for AI-driven surveillance and community education programs.
Local residents in Kasba block, a predominantly agricultural area grappling with unemployment and limited transport options, expressed outrage and grief. "These kids were the future of our village—bright, eager to learn," lamented one elder, as impromptu memorials of flowers and candles began appearing near the site. Community leaders have called for immediate compensation for the families—typically Rs 5 lakh per deceased under railway norms—and a thorough probe to rule out any negligence on the train's part. The Indian Railways has announced an inquiry, promising to expedite ex-gratia payments and bolster safety measures along the vulnerable stretch.
As investigations continue, this dawn disaster serves as a stark wake-up call for bolstering pedestrian safety amid India's rail boom. For the families in Purnea, however, no policy change can mend the void left by four promising lives snuffed out too soon. The nation mourns, and the push for accountability grows louder.
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