Bihar Man, Buffaloes Killed by Vande Bharat Train
Desperate Rescue Attempt Ends in Tragedy
Eyewitnesses reported that two buffaloes had wandered onto the tracks when the Varanasi-Deoghar Vande Bharat Express approached at full speed. Gopal Yadav, in a desperate attempt to rescue the animals, ran onto the tracks and was hit along with the buffaloes.
The impact was so severe that Yadav’s body and the animals’ carcasses were flung several metres away. Remains were found scattered along the tracks. The train sustained partial damage to its front and halted briefly for about 30 minutes.
Local Outrage Over Safety Lapses
Locals expressed their frustration with the railway authorities. “There are no barricades or fencing in this area, even though semi high-speed trains now pass through frequently,” said Surendra Ram, a neighbour of the deceased. He added that Yadav is survived by his wife and four young children.
Railway Officials Respond
Sheikhpura police confirmed that Assistant Sub-Inspector Ashok Paswan visited the scene and sent the body for post-mortem. Railway Protection Force (RPF) Inspector Ravindra Yadav, in charge of the Kiul post, stated that an awareness campaign will soon be launched to prevent cattle from straying onto tracks.
Recurring Safety Issue
This incident highlights an ongoing issue of inadequate fencing and livestock control along railway lines in rural India. With the expansion of high-speed trains like Vande Bharat, safety measures must evolve to match speed and operational risks.
