Buxar: The Magadh Express, en route to Patna, was involved in an accident on Sunday afternoon between Raghunathpur and Tudiganj when the train’s coupling broke, splitting it into two parts. No passengers were harmed, though the incident caused widespread panic among those on board.
The accident occurred near Dharauli Halt on the Howrah-Delhi rail route at around 11:07 a.m. Thirteen coaches, including the engine, moved forward for about 70 meters, while nine coaches were left behind. The train came to a sudden halt with a sharp jolt, which caused alarm among the passengers. Some passengers exited the train through emergency windows, while others rushed through the doors, fearing further danger.
Train services on the route were disrupted for nearly three hours as railway authorities worked to address the situation. Operations resumed around 2:00 p.m.
Inspector-in-charge of the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Deepak Kumar, confirmed that a team was immediately dispatched to the site after the accident. “Thankfully, no injuries or casualties have been reported. The situation is under control,” he said. The front portion of the train was moved to Raghunathpur station, while the rear section remained on the track.
Initial concerns from the loco pilot and guard, who feared a derailment, were quickly dispelled upon investigation. It was discovered that the coupling between coaches S6 and S7 had broken, causing the train to split. The Magadh Express, with 22 coaches in total, included both AC and sleeper coaches, leaving behind six sleeper coaches, two general coaches, and a Divyang (disabled-friendly) coach.
This incident comes amidst a series of similar accidents in recent months. On Saturday, two coaches of the Indore-Jabalpur Overnight Express derailed near Jabalpur railway station. No injuries were reported. Another coupling-related accident occurred in Samastipur in July when the Bihar Sampark Kranti Express split into two parts, though no casualties were reported.
Railway authorities are investigating the cause of the coupling failure and have urged passengers to remain calm. Despite the disruption, there were no serious injuries, and normal operations have resumed on the Howrah-Delhi rail route.
