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At least six people were killed after being run over by the Netaji Express at Chunar railway station in Uttar Pradesh’s Mirzapur district on Wednesday, November 5, morning. The victims, reportedly pilgrims on their way for a Ganga Snan, were struck while attempting to cross the main line after getting down from another train on the wrong side of the platform.

According to a statement from the Indian Railways, the incident took place around 9:30 am when the Chopan–Prayagraj Express (Train No. 13309) arrived at Platform No. 4. Several passengers disembarked on the non-platform side and began crossing the tracks, even though a Foot Over Bridge was available. At that moment, Train No. 12311, the Netaji Express, was passing on the main line and ran over the passengers, killing six on the spot.

Railway and district officials, along with teams from the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP), reached the scene immediately. Rescue operations were initiated without delay, and the bodies were shifted to Mirzapur for post-mortem. Efforts are underway to identify the deceased and inform their families.

The railway administration expressed condolences and appealed to the public to use the Foot Over Bridge for safety. Officials said passengers must avoid crossing tracks under any circumstance, as it remains one of the leading causes of railway fatalities in India.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath called the incident “deeply saddening” and directed officials to ensure immediate relief for the affected families. He announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia for each of the deceased and instructed the administration to provide medical care to the injured.

In an official statement, the Chief Minister’s Office said that senior officers, along with teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), were sent to the site to support rescue and relief work. CM Yogi extended condolences to the bereaved families and assured all possible help from the state government.

UP Minister Sanjeev Kumar Gaud confirmed that all six victims were pilgrims from Mirzapur and Sonbhadra districts. “This is a heart-wrenching incident. They had come to participate in the Ganga Snan when this tragedy struck. Five of the victims were from Mirzapur, and one from Sonbhadra. Our sympathies are with the families,” he said. The minister added that a detailed inquiry would be carried out, and any lapse on part of railway or station staff would invite strict action.

While the railway administration has routinely cautioned passengers against trespassing, such incidents continue to occur. Officials emphasised that all stations are equipped with pedestrian crossings and Foot Over Bridges, yet passengers often ignore safety rules in haste.

Authorities said campaigns will be strengthened to promote awareness on safe travel practices, particularly during religious gatherings when crowd movement increases significantly. The administration reiterated that the loss of life at Chunar serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of crossing active rail tracks.

The Chunar tragedy has again raised concerns over railway safety and public behaviour around platforms. While authorities continue to upgrade infrastructure, adherence to basic safety measures remains vital. Officials have urged passengers to prioritise caution, noting that even a moment of carelessness can result in irreversible loss.

Ankit Kumar is a Senior Sub Editor at Zee Business. He covers international affairs, politics, climate change, business, finance and global elections. With experience acros