“They were crossing the tracks… Some made it to the other side, but a few slowed down and were hit by a passing train…,” said Vishal Kumar (16), recalling the horrifying accident at Chunar railway station on Wednesday morning.
His mother Savita Devi (32), two cousins — Sadhna (12) and her sister Shivkumari (16) — and another relative, Anju Devi (21), were among six women who were killed when a train struck them as they tried to cross the tracks.
The four victims lived in adjoining houses in Kamariya village. They were part of a group of 12 women who had travelled to Chunar — about 40 km away — by train to take a holy dip in the Ganga on the occasion of Kartik Purnima.
The accident took place around 9.30 am when the Chopan-Prayagraj passenger train arrived at platform number 4. According to officials, the victims got down from the train on the side opposite to the main platform, where there is no designated exit. As they attempted to cross the tracks to reach the main platform, another train sped through the station and struck them, killing them on the spot.
Sadhna was a Class 8 student, while Shivkumari was studying in Class 12. Anju was pursuing her graduation, and Savita was a homemaker.
Recalling the day’s events, Vishal said, “They had been planning this for the past week. It wasn’t their first time — they had gone several times before.”
About two hours after the group left, the family received devastating news of the accident and rushed to the spot. “Those who survived told us they were crossing the tracks… Four of our family died,” Vishal said.
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Officials said post-mortem examinations were being conducted, after which the bodies will be handed over to the families.
Family members also alleged that the tragedy occurred due to the absence of proper security arrangements at the railway station.
Vijay Shankar, father of Sadhna and Shivkumari, demanded action against police personnel who, he claimed, failed to perform their duty and allowed passengers to alight from the train on the wrong side and walk along the tracks.
“Had there been adequate police deployment, no passenger would have dared to cross the railway tracks, which is illegal,” alleged Vijay, who works as a taxi driver.
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However, the railway police denied the allegations, stating that a police team had been deployed for security.
Anju’s father, Shyama Prasad (56), said the tragedy has left their entire family devastated. “It has shattered the dreams and plans of all three families,” he said, struggling to hold back tears.
“I was preparing to get my daughter married soon. This loss has broken us completely.”
The fifth victim, Kalawati Devi (50), was a resident of the neighbouring Sonbhadra district. Her husband, Janardhan Yadav, said, “I still cannot understand how this happened. Everything changed in moments.”
The sixth woman is yet to be identified.
