Bihar train derailment
In the Indian state of Bihar, on June 6, 1981, a passenger train carrying more than 800 passengers[1] between Mansi (Dhamara Pul) and Saharsa, India derailed and plunged into the river Bagmati while it was crossing a bridge.
Bihar train derailment | |
---|---|
Details | |
Date | 6 June 1981 |
Location | Bagmati River, Badlaghat (near Khagaria), Bihar |
Country | India |
Incident type | Derailment |
Cause | Unknown, likely a cyclone |
Statistics | |
Trains | 1 |
Deaths | 500–800 |
After five days, more than 200 bodies were recovered, with hundreds more missing that were feared washed away by the river.[1][2] Estimates of total deaths range from 500 to 800 or more.[1] By the afternoon of June 12, the government had completed its recovery efforts and had issued an official death toll of 235 passengers (including the bodies of 3 passengers which had not been recovered), with 88 survivors.[3]
The crash is among the deadliest-ever rail accidents in India.[4]
Cause
The cause of the crash is uncertain as the accident was not well documented. There are multiple theories:
- a cyclone[5]
- flash flooding[6]
- brake failure[7]
See also
References
- Spignesi, Stephen J. (2004). Catastrophe!: the 100 greatest disasters of all time. Citadel Press. p. 182. ISBN 9780806525587.
- "AROUND THE WORLD; Toll From Train Crash Reaches 215 in India". New York Times. 9 June 1981. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
- "Diving Operations to Extricate Dead Bodies Completed – Samastipur Rail Disaster" (PDF). Press Information Bureau of India – Archive. 12 June 1981. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
- "1981 Bihar to 2023 Balasore train accident in Odisha, here are India's deadliest rail accidents".
- "Iran mourns blast victims". BBC. 19 February 2004.
- "Train Disasters". CBS News. 12 September 2005. Archived from the original on 12 September 2005. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
- "Train Wrecks in India". Emergency Disaster Management, Inc. 11 March 2007. Archived from the original on 11 March 2007. Retrieved 25 March 2023.