A devastating train collision in Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur district claimed at least six lives and left several others injured when a passenger train ploughed into a stationary goods train near Jairamnagar station on Tuesday afternoon.

According to the South East Central Railway (SECR), the Korba MEMU passenger train was en route to Bilaspur when it crashed into a parked freight train around 4 p.m., just outside the Bilaspur station limits. The impact was so intense that the leading coach of the passenger train mounted the engine of the goods train, derailing in the process and trapping dozens of passengers.

Rescue and relief teams from the Railways, local administration, and police rushed to the site within minutes. Volunteers and nearby residents joined efforts to pull survivors from the mangled coaches. Medical teams provided emergency care at the scene before transferring the critically injured to nearby hospitals.

“It all happened in seconds — the jolt was so powerful that the compartment shook like a toy,” recounted one survivor, still shaken by the ordeal.

Rail traffic on the busy Bilaspur–Korba route has been suspended as authorities work to clear the debris and restore overhead power lines and signal systems. Several train services have been cancelled or diverted.

A high-level inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the accident. Preliminary reports suggest a possible signaling failure or human error, though officials said a detailed investigation will establish the exact cause.

Union Railways Minister and SECR authorities have expressed condolences to the victims’ families and assured all possible assistance to those affected.