In a devastating incident at Bardhaman Railway Station in Bengal, an overhead water tank collapsed on passengers waiting on joint platforms two and three, resulting in three fatalities and over 30 injuries. The large metal water-filled tank fell during the mishap. Victims were swiftly transported to Burdwan Medical College and Hospital, where two individuals were declared dead on arrival, and another succumbed to injuries.
The deceased have been identified as Sonaram Tudu, Kanti Bahadur, and Mafeeza Khatun. Most of the injured, primarily passengers waiting under the platform shed, suffered minor injuries and were discharged after treatment. The railways announced compensation of ₹5 lakh for each victim's family, with ₹50,000 for critically injured individuals and ₹5,000 for those with milder injuries. Eastern Railway authorities are providing assistance to the relatives of the injured. An FIR is being lodged, and investigations are set to commence. Bengal Chief Secretary HK Dwivedi assured full cooperation, and three railway employees were suspended. Train operations on three platforms at the station have been halted. This incident echoes a tragedy in January 2020 when a concrete structure collapse at Bardhaman station claimed one life.