Indian train drivers in crash that killed 14 were watching cricket: Railways Minister

Desk Report

Publisted at 6:02 PM, Mon Mar 4th, 2024

The drivers of a train who failed to heed a signal and collided with another train, killing 14 people, were distracted because they were watching cricket on a mobile phone, said Indian railways minister.

The tragic incident occurred in Andhra Pradesh state on 29 October 2023, coinciding with a one-day World Cup match between India and England.

"The recent case in Andhra Pradesh happened because both the loco pilot and co-pilot were distracted by the cricket match which was going on," said Railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, reports The Hindustan Times.

The minister emphasized the installation of systems to detect such distractions and ensure the full focus of train pilots and assistant pilots.

Separately, officials sacked the station master and three other employees after a runaway freight train travelled 40 miles (70km) without a driver last month.

The men were removed from their posts for negligence after about 50 carriages barrelled on solo for almost two hours.

India has witnessed numerous train disasters over the years, including the worst in 1981 when a train derailed while crossing a bridge in Bihar state, resulting in an estimated 800 fatalities. Additionally, in June 2023, a collision involving three trains claimed the lives of nearly 300 people in Odisha state.

Tags: