Sahibganj: A major rail accident occurred in Jharkhand’s Sahibganj district on Thursday morning when a goods train derailed near Barharwa, causing significant damage to railway infrastructure but fortunately no loss of life or injuries. The incident, captured in live video footage circulating on social media, involved a collision between two goods trains, resulting in several wagons of one train overturning and climbing onto the other, leading to widespread disruption of rail traffic.

According to railway officials, the derailment took place around 3:30 AM in a railway yard near Barharwa station, under the Malda Division of Eastern Railway. A stone-laden goods train, en route from Sahibganj to another destination, collided with a stationary goods train, causing 18 wagons to derail. The impact was severe, with multiple wagons piling onto each other, damaging both the up and down tracks. The chaotic scene, described as “wagons climbing over one another,” triggered panic among railway staff and nearby residents.

The South Eastern Railway (SER) and Eastern Railway authorities swiftly responded, deploying rescue and restoration teams to the site. Senior officials, including the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Malda, are overseeing the investigation to determine the cause of the collision. Preliminary reports suggest a possible signaling error or miscommunication, as the moving train failed to stop despite the stationary train on the same track. “The exact cause is under investigation. A high-level inquiry has been ordered, and we are working to restore normal operations,” said a railway spokesperson.

The derailment disrupted rail traffic on the Sahibganj-Malda route, with at least 10 trains diverted via alternative routes and several others delayed. Passenger trains, including the Howrah-Guwahati Express and Malda-Delhi Intercity, faced hours-long delays, stranding passengers at stations like Bhagalpur and Jamalpur. Restoration efforts are ongoing, with one track partially cleared by Thursday afternoon, but full operations are expected to resume only by late evening.

Social media platforms, particularly X, were abuzz with live videos and images of the accident, showing mangled wagons and scattered debris. One post described the incident as “a shocking collision that could have been catastrophic,” while another praised the absence of casualties as “a miracle.” The videos, shared by news outlets like ABP News and NDTV India, highlighted the severity of the crash, with one wagon precariously perched atop another.

The incident has reignited concerns about railway safety, especially following recent derailments in Jharkhand, such as the Howrah-Mumbai Mail accident in July 2024, which killed two and injured 20, and a goods train derailment in Bokaro in September 2024. Opposition leaders, including Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) MP Mahua Maji, criticized the central government, stating, “Continuous railway accidents raise serious questions about the government’s commitment to safety.” Posts on X echoed this sentiment, with users questioning the effectiveness of safety measures like the Kavach anti-collision system.

Railway authorities have estimated losses in the lakhs due to track damage and delays, though no official figure has been released. The RPF and local police have secured the site to prevent unauthorized access, and a 15-member inquiry team is examining factors such as track conditions, signaling systems, and human error. No helpline numbers were issued, as the accident involved goods trains with no passengers.

This derailment underscores the persistent challenges facing Indian Railways, with 38,500 accidents reported from 1961 to 2019 and multiple incidents in 2024–2025 alone. As investigations continue, the focus remains on restoring services and preventing future mishaps in one of India’s busiest rail corridors.