The New York Times; Aerial drone image via Reuters
Investigators in a deadly multi-train accident in India are focusing on the possibility of an electronic signal system failure. Officials say how the accident happened.
1 Two passenger trains are approaching
At around 7pm local time, a Coromandel Express passenger train approached from the north at around 80 miles per hour. A second passenger train, the Yeshwantpur-Howrah Superfast Express, approached at the same time from the south.
2 The Coromandel Express turns onto an occupied track
The Coromandel Express turned onto a side track occupied by a defunct freight train loaded with iron ore. An Indian Railways official said a problem in the signal system may have been the overall cause of the accident, though investigations are still underway.
3 The first passenger train collided with the freight train
Coromandel Express collides with a freight train. Cars in front of the Coromandel jump off their tracks and form a mangled pile. More than 20 cars derailed in Coromandel.
4 A second passenger train was hit
The derailed cars of the Coromandel Express strike the second passenger train, causing two cars to derail at the end of the second passenger train.
The accident scene spanned over a thousand feet.
Source: Estimated locations of train cars based on photographs and video from the scene.
The New York Times; Satellite image from Airbus
