Five Train Coaches Derail, Hundreds of Lives Saved by Loco Pilot's Quick Action

Villupuram(The Uttam Hindu): A major train accident was narrowly avoided on Tuesday morning when a MEMU (Mainline Electric Multiple Unit) train derailed near Villupuram, Tamil Nadu, while en route to Puducherry. The quick thinking of the loco pilot is being credited with preventing a larger disaster, as he swiftly stopped the train, averting potential casualties.

According to railway officials, the Villupuram-Puducherry MEMU train, which was carrying approximately 500 passengers, departed from Villupuram at 5:25 AM. While crossing a curve, several coaches derailed, but the loco pilot’s prompt response in halting the train helped contain the situation. As a result, no injuries or fatalities were reported. The derailment led to a temporary disruption of rail services on the Villupuram route, with traffic halted until 8:30 AM. Services were later restored, with train operations returning to normal. The train covers a distance of around 38 kilometers.

Railway authorities have initiated an investigation into the cause of the derailment, with further details expected once the inquiry is complete.

Dense Fog Disrupts Train Services in Northern India

Meanwhile, train operations in northern India were severely affected by dense fog. In Delhi, heavy fog reduced visibility to near zero on Tuesday morning, leading to significant delays. A total of 39 trains were delayed, with some running up to four hours behind schedule. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that visibility at Palam airport dropped to zero from 4:30 AM, while at Safdarjung, it was limited to just 50 meters from 5:30 AM due to the thick fog. This disruption continued to affect rail services, causing widespread delays throughout the region.