A train derailment in Assam has raised fresh questions about railway safety after a video from the driver's cabin captured the moments before the accident.
The Kolkata-Sairang Express derailed at Digaru railway station on Wednesday, 11 November. But what happened inside the locomotive moments before the train went off the tracks? And what did the driver report as the situation unfolded?
The footage has brought a crucial detail into focus, while railway authorities work to establish exactly what went wrong.
What Happened At Digaru Station?
The accident occurred at around 6:54 am at Digaru railway station in Assam's Kamrup Metropolitan district, near Guwahati.
The Kolkata-Sairang Express (Train No. 13125) was travelling from Kolkata towards Sairang in Mizoram when the locomotive and five passenger coaches derailed.
According to Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) Chief Public Relations Officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, the train was being received at Digaru station to give precedence to another train. However, the locomotive pilot could not control its speed, resulting in the derailment.
While some initial reports described seven coaches as having derailed, the railway's account specified the locomotive and five coaches.
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What Does The Driver's Video Reveal?
A 45-second video recorded inside the locomotive's cabin has brought attention to the events immediately before the accident.
In the footage, the driver is heard saying, "BP pressure kam nahi ho raha" (the BP pressure is not decreasing), indicating that the brake pipe pressure was not reducing.
He then reports that the signal is red and the emergency brake has been applied, but it is not working.
The driver can also be seen operating different controls as the train continues moving. Moments later, the locomotive hits a barricade, followed by a loud impact as it goes off the tracks.
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How Many Passengers Were Injured?
Northeast Frontier Railway said that all passengers were safe and no injuries had been reported. However, subsequent reports cited passengers with injuries, including people seen receiving treatment at a hospital.
News9live reported that seven passengers had been hospitalised. The exact severity of their injuries has not been established.
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What Action Have Railway Authorities Taken?
Relief and rescue operations began shortly after the derailment.
NFR arranged an alternative train to transport passengers to their destinations. A recovery train was also sent to the site to assist with the operations and clear the affected tracks.
NFR General Manager Vivek Khare and other senior railway officials reached the accident site to oversee the response.
The incident also affected other train services in the region. The Guwahati-Jorhat Town Jan Shatabdi Express was controlled at Panbari, while the Coimbatore-Silchar Express was regulated at Panikhaiti, according to railway updates.
The precise technical cause of the derailment remains to be established. The driver's comments in the video make the braking system an important aspect to examine, but a confirmed finding will require a technical investigation.
The Bigger Question: What Happens When Emergency Systems Fail?
The derailment raises questions about railway safety. According to the Ministry of Railways, India recorded 31 consequential train accidents in 2024-25, including 24 derailments.
Emergency brakes, signals and staff communication are vital to safe operations. Here, the driver reportedly said the emergency brake was not working despite a red signal.
The investigation will establish what led to the derailment and whether any gaps in railway safety systems or procedures contributed to the accident.
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TL;DR | News At A Glance
Where did the Kolkata-Sairang Express derail?
At Digaru railway station in Assam's Kamrup Metropolitan district, near Guwahati, on 11 November 2026.
When did the accident happen?
Around 6:54 am on Wednesday.
How many coaches derailed?
Northeast Frontier Railway reported that the locomotive and five passenger coaches derailed.
What happened before the derailment?
A video from the locomotive's cabin captures the driver reporting a red signal and saying the emergency brake was not working.
How many passengers were injured?
According to reports, seven passengers were hospitalised. The railway initially said no injuries had been reported. No fatalities have been reported.
What caused the derailment?
The official railway account said the driver could not control the train's speed while it was being received at Digaru station to give precedence to another train. The technical cause remains unconfirmed.
What action followed the accident?
Railway authorities launched relief and recovery operations, arranged an alternative train for passengers and sent senior officials to the site.
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