In India, the second most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, the railway system plays an important role in transporting a huge amount of passengers every year.
However, the system also causes an annual death toll of around 25,000, the majority of these casualties come from those who fall out of open doors or are hit on the tracks.
During rush hours, first classes and compartments of any train become overloading as passengers scramble for every inch of space, many even cross tracks to catch their trains or sit on top.
Despite the chaos, about eighteen million people buy tickets every day on Indian Railways.
Now, let's take a look at some shocking photos of the world's most dangerous railway system.
People queue to buy their tickets. In a nation with over 1.2 billion people, it is unsurprising as trains are overcrowding
It is overcrowding that annually causes a majority of 25,000 deaths. More than 7,000 Indian trains cannot satisfy people’s increasing transporting demands
Nearly two weeks ago, at least 38 people dead and about 200 injured in a rail accident that happened as thirteen carriages of the Kalka Mail passenger train derailed at more than 100km/h (62mph) near Uttar Pradesh state.
Tickets on Indian trains are almost always sold out
Passengers clamber on to an over-packed national train that travels from New Delhi to Bihar
A father tries to lift his terrified daughter and get on an over-crowded train during summer
Hanging out of trains is a daily routine for most Indian passengers
Indian former railway minister increased the railway budget by 40% to $13 billion to boost railway infrastructure
Hindu pilgrims sit on top of a train. Eighteen people were killed in Uttar Pradesh while riding on top of a train in February 2011
Many passengers run across tracks to catch their train. Illegal track crossing annually kills hundreds of Indians
Trains often hit cars, buses and pedestrians at railway crossings. Fourteen people were killed in this accident in Bihar
Indian Railway System
Related links:
Horrific Indian Train Accident: At Least 38 Dead And 200 Injured
India: Shocking Photos of World's Most Dangerous Railway System