In a tragic incident that has shocked the residents of West Champaran district in Bihar, two 16-year-old boys lost their lives on Friday after being struck by the Amrit Bharat Express train. The young victims were reportedly filming a short video reel near the railway tracks when the fast-moving train hit them.
The accident occurred between Gulab Nagar railway crossing and Sathi railway station on the Bettiah-Narkatiaganj rail line, specifically near railway pillar number 234/31. Station Master Santosh Kumar confirmed the details, explaining that the Amrit Bharat Express was en route from Muzaffarpur to Narkatiaganj. At the same time, a military train was approaching on the parallel track from Narkatiaganj towards Muzaffarpur.
According to Kumar, the boys panicked upon seeing trains approaching from both directions and inadvertently moved into the path of the Amrit Bharat Express. ‘They were standing near the tracks, shooting a reel on their mobile phone. The sudden arrival of trains from opposite sides caused confusion, leading to the fatal collision,’ he recounted.
Both Salman Alam from Dharmpur Sathi village and Alamgir Alam from Bhedihari village in Purushottampur police station area were pronounced dead at the scene. Local crowds quickly gathered, creating chaos and tension in the vicinity as news of the mishap spread.
Railway authorities promptly notified the Government Railway Police (GRP) at Bettiah, initiating a thorough investigation. The bodies have been handed over to the families, and legal proceedings are underway. Kumar urged the public, especially during early mornings and evenings, to avoid railway tracks altogether, highlighting the reduced visibility due to winter fog.
This heartbreaking event serves as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking near active rail lines, particularly for youth engrossed in social media trends. Authorities are emphasizing safety awareness campaigns to prevent such avoidable tragedies in the future.