Accident

A boiler explosion at a tyre plant in Palghar district, Maharashtra, critically injured five people, including two children, on Wednesday. The explosion occurred when a pressure surge caused one of the boilers to rupture, sparking a fire. The victims, from Jhabua district in Madhya Pradesh, were rushed to local hospitals, with four transferred to Thane for advanced care. In a separate incident, eight workers were killed, and seven others injured in a powerful blast at an ordnance factory in Bhandara district on January 24. The explosion destroyed the factory building, with residents of nearby villages feeling the tremor. Authorities are investigating both incidents.

At least 15 people are feared dead following a stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on Wednesday, as millions of pilgrims gathered for a holy dip on Mauni Amavasya. The stampede occurred amid heavy crowds during the ‘Amrit Snan’, one of the most sacred rituals of the event. Authorities quickly responded by sending ambulances to the scene, with injured individuals taken to nearby hospitals. Prime Minister Modi and Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath are closely monitoring the situation, with additional medical teams and security measures deployed to manage the crisis. Despite the tragedy, the Mela continues

The Railway Board has raised concerns over the 485 rail accidents reported across Indian Railways in the past 11 years, attributing many to human error within the Traffic Department. In a circular dated January 24, Hitendra Malhotra, Member (Operations and Business Development), highlighted key causes such as improper setting of points, failure to observe shunting rules, and breaches of block rules. Malhotra also pointed out that shortcuts taken during shunting operations, often due to time pressures, had become a dangerous habit among railway staff. To address these issues, the Railway Board has mandated the inclusion of accident case studies in training sessions and stressed the importance of fostering a culture where employees can report mistakes without fear of retribution.

A first-year student from Narayana College in Andhra Pradesh and a 21-year-old aerospace engineering student from BMS College of Engineering in Bengaluru's Hanumantha Nagar have died by suicide in separate incidents. The incidents have raised concerns about the mental health and well-being of students, and the need for support systems to help them cope with stress and anxiety. The cause of the suicides is still unknown, and an investigation is underway.

At least 12 people were killed and several others injured in a tragic train accident in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, on Wednesday. Passengers on the Pushpak Express, fearing a fire after noticing smoke from one of the coaches, panicked and jumped off the train, only to be struck by an oncoming express train. Authorities are investigating the cause of the smoke, which may have been due to a hot axle or brake-binding issue. The state government has pledged financial aid for the victims’ families, while relief efforts are ongoing.