Mumbai/IBNS: At least 12 people died on Wednesday after they jumped off a train crossing Maharashtra's Jalgaon amid rumours that it caught fire and was about to be hit by another train, media reports said.

The accident occurred between Maheji and Pardhade stations near Pachora, 400 km from Mumbai.

According to Central Railway officials, the Lucknow-Mumbai Pushpak Express, a Daily Superfast Express train that runs between Lucknow to Mumbai, had halted after someone pulled the chain due to a rumour of fire around 5 pm.

Some passengers of the Pushpak Express jumped down, and were hit by the oncoming Karnataka Express, heading from Bengaluru to Delhi, NDTV reported quoting Central Railway's chief spokesperson Swapnil Nila.

An accident relief train was dispatched from Bhusaval. The Railway made efforts to provide medical aid to the injured passengers.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is at the World Economic Forum in the Swiss ski resort town of Davos, announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each to the families who lost a loved one in the tragedy.

"Some passengers in the train mistakenly assumed that smoke is coming out of the train and they jumped. Unfortunately, they were ran over by another train. I announce Rs 5 lakh to the each kin of the deceased persons in this accident," the Chief Minister said in a video message.

The Chief Minister added that the state government will bear the entire cost of treatment of the injured passengers.

"Our minister Girish Mahajan is personally overseeing the rescue and support to the victims of the accident. I have spoken to district administration and police officials there (in Jalgaon)," the Fadnavis said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah condoled the loss of lives in the accident and discussed the matter with the Chief Minister.

"The railway accident that happened at Jalgaon in Maharashtra is very sad. I discussed the matter with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and got information about the incident. The local administration is providing all possible help to the injured. I express my condolences to the civilians who died in the accident and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured person," Shah said in a post on X.

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw spoke to the Railway Board Chairman and other officials to understand what happened and has issued directions that the injured must be attended to immediately.