High-Speed Vande Bharat Hits Fairgoers in Bihar; 3 Dead, 2 Injured

The devastating accident occurred near Purnia Junction early Friday morning, leaving three people dead and two others seriously injured. The Jogbani–Danapur Vande Bharat Express struck the victims as they were returning home after attending a local festive fair.

October 3, 2025: A major tragedy struck near Purnia Junction early Friday morning when the Jogbani–Danapur Vande Bharat Express train struck a group of people, killing three on the spot and seriously injuring two others.

The accident occurred around 4:40 am on the Katihar–Jogbani rail section near Kasba Jabanpur as the victims were reportedly walking back from a Durga Puja fair.

Victims Were Returning from Festive Celebrations

Officials confirmed that the victims were returning from a local Dussehra fair when they were hit by the high-speed train. The incident involved the Jogbani–Danapur Vande Bharat Express, which departs Jogbani at 3:25 am and has a scheduled arrival time at Purnia Junction around 4:50 am.

The two seriously injured individuals have been admitted to the Government Medical College Hospital (GMCH) in Purnia, where their condition is reported to be critical. Local reports suggest the victims were young individuals, some of whom worked at a local factory.

Purnia Junction station superintendent Munna Kumar confirmed the incident in his statement to the press.

Large Crowd Gathers, Investigation Launched

Following the collision, a large crowd gathered at the accident site, leading to a tense situation. Personnel from the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and local police were quickly deployed to manage the crowd and control the scene.

The bodies of the deceased have been sent for post-mortem examination, and a full investigation into the circumstances of the tragic accident has been launched by railway authorities and the police.

Second Fatal Incident in Recent Weeks

This marks the second fatal accident involving the newly inaugurated Jogbani–Danapur Vande Bharat Express within a short span. The train, which was virtually flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 15 and began regular service on December 17, has been under the spotlight due to its early morning and late-night timings. Just three days prior, on September 30, a separate accident involving the same train near Saharsa’s Hatiyagachhi railway crossing resulted in the death of an elderly person.