The Rambukkana train accident occurred on March 14, 2002, in Sri Lanka. It was one of the deadliest train accidents in the country's history. The accident took place when a crowded passenger train collided head-on with a stationary goods train near the Rambukkana railway station in the Kegalle district.
The passenger train, which was traveling from Colombo to Kandy, was carrying over 1,000 people at the time of the accident. The impact of the collision was so severe that several of the passenger carriages were completely destroyed, trapping hundreds of passengers inside. The rescue operation was extremely difficult due to the remote location of the accident and the damage caused to the train.
The accident resulted in the deaths of 23 people, including the train driver and several passengers who were trapped in the wreckage. Over 150 others were injured, with many suffering from severe burns and broken bones. The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were taken to the morgue for identification.
The cause of the accident was later attributed to a failure in the signal system, which allowed the passenger train to continue on the same track as the goods train. The accident was a tragic reminder of the importance of maintaining railway infrastructure and ensuring the safety of passengers. The Sri Lankan government announced compensation packages for the families of the deceased and the injured, and measures were taken to improve the safety of the railway system in the country.
