In a tragic incident, a woman died after being hit by an Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) train at Saidapet railway station in Chennai earlier today. The accident occurred during morning peak hours, causing panic among commuters and temporary disruption of train services.
Eyewitnesses reported that the woman, who was in her mid-30s, was attempting to cross the railway track when she was struck by an approaching EMU train heading towards Tambaram. Despite warnings from fellow passengers, she was unable to avoid the speeding train.
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) and local police immediately reached the scene and cordoned off the area. The woman was declared dead on the spot, and her body was sent to a government hospital for postmortem examination. Authorities are working to identify the victim and inform her family.
This accident led to minor delays in the Chennai suburban train network, especially on the Beach–Tambaram route, as railway staff cleared the tracks and conducted an initial investigation. Train services resumed shortly after.
Officials suspect that the woman may have attempted to cross the tracks instead of using the footbridge, which is a common but dangerous practice at crowded stations like Saidapet. Chennai suburban railway authorities have often warned against this and urged commuters to follow safety rules.
A senior railway official stated, “Crossing railway tracks is strictly prohibited. We urge all passengers to use designated overbridges and subways for their safety.”
Authorities are also reviewing CCTV footage from Saidapet station to confirm the sequence of events and determine if safety protocols were followed. Preliminary findings suggest human error rather than any fault in train operation.
This tragic event has renewed calls for increased railway safety awareness and stricter enforcement of anti-crossing laws. Activists have urged railway officials to install more signage, conduct regular announcements, and enhance surveillance to prevent such incidents.
In the past year, Chennai’s suburban railways have recorded several similar track-crossing accidents, particularly during rush hours, highlighting the need for urgent safety interventions.
The Southern Railway has expressed condolences to the victim’s family and assured support during this difficult time. The Railway Police are continuing their investigation and may issue additional safety advisories for commuters.
