2 passengers jump off trains into sea on Pamban bridge within hours, 1 dead

Two passengers jumped into the sea from separate trains crossing the new Pamban railway bridge. One died and the other was hospitalised, renewing demands for stronger passenger safeguards.

In Short

• Man died after jumping Saturday night; body found near Mullimunai Island
• Woman jumped Sunday morning, rescued with serious injuries, hospitalised
• Identities and reasons for jumps remain unknown; investigations ongoing

Two separate incidents of passengers jumping into the sea from trains while crossing the new Pamban railway bridge in Tamil Nadu have raised safety concerns. A man died after jumping into the sea on Saturday night, while a woman passenger who jumped from another train on Sunday morning was rescued with serious injuries and admitted to hospital.

In the first incident, a passenger train travelling from Rameswaram to Madurai was crossing the Pamban Sea Bridge on Saturday night when a young man suddenly jumped into the sea. Shocked fellow passengers and railway police immediately launched a search operation.

However, his body washed ashore on Sunday near Mullimunai Island, close to Pamban. Marine Police recovered the body and launched an investigation to establish his identity and hometown.

In a separate incident on Sunday morning, a woman travelling on the Amritha Express from Palakkad in Kerala to Rameswaram suddenly jumped into the sea while the train was crossing the Pamban bridge. She sustained serious injuries in the incident.

After receiving information, a police team led by Railway Police Inspector Kathirvel rushed to the spot and rescued the woman. The police provided her with water and first aid before shifting her to the District Government Medical College Hospital for further treatment. She is currently undergoing treatment.

The woman's identity, hometown and reasons for jumping from the train remain unknown. Police said she was unconscious when they rescued her and that they would conduct further inquiries once her condition stabilises.

The identity of the young man who died after jumping into the sea on Saturday night also remains unconfirmed.

Rameswaram, a popular tourist destination, attracts thousands of visitors every day. Passengers travelling by train to the island town have to cross the new railway bridge built over the Pamban Sea.

There have been occasional incidents of passengers attempting risky stunts while taking selfies and recording videos from trains crossing the bridge. Some have accidentally fallen into the sea and been rescued by fishermen.

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