Deadly Mini truck & Agartala-Silchar Express collision in Tripura: 3 killed
Agartala Nov 20: Three people were killed in Tripura after a mini truck collided with the Agartala–Silchar Express at an unauthorized crossing in the hilly Ambasa–Manu section on Thursday. The vehicle had entered the track unexpectedly, leading to a fatal crash with the locomotive, officials confirmed.
Details of the accident
According to Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) Chief Public Relations Officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, the Agartala-Silchar express train was moving through the section when the truck suddenly rolled onto the tracks. The impact killed the driver and two passengers instantly. The wreckage was later removed, allowing the train to continue its journey without major delay.
Statements from Officials
Sharma said the accident occurred at an illegal crossing and noted that railway officials had made multiple attempts to close the crossing to ensure public safety.
However, these attempts were repeatedly blocked by local resistance. A railway team had last visited the location on October 5 to enforce closure but was unable to proceed.
Police confirmed the deceased as:
Pramesh Debbarma (23)
Bupendra Debbarma (55)
Bina Debbarma (27)
Rescue teams from Fire and Emergency Services recovered the bodies and sent them to the hospital for post-mortem examination.
Part of a Larger Pattern
This incident follows a near-disaster on October 5 at almost the same location, when a Dharmanagar–Agartala DEMU train struck a mini truck carrying brick chips. In that case, the truck became stuck on the tracks, but the passengers escaped unharmed, and the train sustained no major damage.
Railway Safety and Legal Warning
Railway authorities have once again urged the public not to use unauthorized crossings, stressing that illegal track entry is both life-threatening and punishable under the Indian Railways Act.
The train resumed its journey after debris was cleared. No significant damage to the locomotive was reported. Railway services remained largely uninterrupted.
