Archive · 7 Aug 2026
August 7, 1986: Bihar Train Accident, Mexico Summit, Delhi Blast
On August 7, 1986, several important things happened in India and around the world.
In Bihar, a passenger train crashed into a goods train, and 52 people died.
Many other people were hurt, and some of the train cars fell into a deep ditch.
Among the people who died were seven women and six children.
On the same day, India's Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, was in Mexico meeting leaders from other countries.
They were talking about peace and nuclear disarmament and planned to write a statement called the Mexico declaration.
In Delhi, a small explosion happened in a building called Hansalaya.
Police said someone had placed sticks of dynamite under a staircase near the Bank of America office, and it caused only minor panic.
In Kerala, the deputy speaker, K M Hamsa Kunju, quit his job, which created a political problem.
These events took place 40 years ago and are being remembered today.
Fifty-two passengers were killed and 35 others injured when the 162 Amritsar-Tata Express rammed into a goods train between Garhwa and Tolra stations in Palamau district, Bihar.
The engine and two bogies of the train fell into a deep nullah; among the dead were seven women and six children.
Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi met leaders at a six-nation peace summit on nuclear disarmament in Mexico, including President Miguel de la Madrid, to discuss the Mexico declaration.
An explosion in Delhi's Hansalaya building on Barakhamba Road, caused by dynamite sticks placed under a staircase leading to Bank of America's office, triggered minor panic.
Kerala deputy speaker K M Hamsa Kunju resigned his post and the chairmanship of the Committee of Privileges, heralding a parliamentary crisis.
- Who
- Fifty-two passengers aboard the 162 Amritsar-Tata Express; Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and leaders at the Mexico summit; Additional Commissioner of Police Security Gautam Kaul; and Kerala deputy speaker K M Hamsa Kunju.
- What
- A fatal train collision, a summit meeting on nuclear disarmament, an explosion in a Delhi building, and a deputy speaker's resignation.
- When
- August 7, 1986.
- Where
- Between Garhwa and Tolra stations in Palamau district, Bihar; the Hansalaya building on Barakhamba Road, Delhi; Mexico; and Kerala.
- Why
- The express train rammed into a goods train; dynamite was placed under a staircase; Gandhi discussed the Mexico declaration on nuclear disarmament; and Kunju felt it unfair to keep the office after resigning from the committee chairmanship.
- Train accident deaths
- 52 passengers killed, 35 injured
- Accident location
- Between Garhwa and Tolra stations, Palamau district, Bihar (Eastern Railway, Dhanbad division)
- Trains involved
- 162 Amritsar-Tata Express and a goods train
- Summit
- Six-nation peace summit on nuclear disarmament in Mexico
- Explosion site
- Hansalaya building, Barakhamba Road, Delhi
- Explosion cause
- Dynamite sticks under a staircase near Bank of America's first-floor office
- Kerala resignation
- Deputy speaker K M Hamsa Kunju quit his post and the Committee of Privileges chairmanship