Train Derails After Hitting Fallen Tree in Chhattisgarh

An empty passenger train derailed in Kanker's Bhanupratappur due to a fallen banyan tree, causing minor injuries to the loco pilot. The incident, attributed to incessant rain, was quickly attended to by railway and security personnel. The train was rerouted by 10 am.

An empty passenger train was derailed after colliding with a fallen tree in Chhattisgarh's Kanker district on Friday, resulting in minor injuries to the locomotive pilot, officials reported.

The incident occurred early in the morning, between Bhanupratappur and Gudum villages as the passenger train was en route to Antagarh from Dallirajhara. The train, typically running from Antagarh to Raipur, was scheduled for a 4.30 am departure to the state capital, according to railway authorities.

Officials stated the locomotive struck a massive banyan tree that had collapsed onto the tracks due to continuous rainfall over the past few days, leading to the derailment of its two front wheels and injuries to the pilot.

Upon receiving an alert, railway and security personnel swiftly arrived at the scene, situated in a Naxal-affected region, to initiate the process of righting the train. By 10 am, the tracks had been cleared of the fallen tree, and the locomotive was back on track, officials confirmed.

(With inputs from agencies.)