A major fire broke out in four coaches of the Karmabhoomi Express near Rajpura in Punjab’s Patiala district on Friday afternoon, triggering panic among passengers. Thick black smoke spread across the railway tracks as flames engulfed multiple coaches of the moving train. Several passengers reportedly jumped off the train in fear and rushed towards safer areas.
According to preliminary information, the incident took place at around 1:10 pm near Sarai Banjara railway station, between Sirhind and Rajpura. Train number 12508, the Karmabhoomi Express, was travelling from Amritsar to New Jalpaiguri when the fire was first detected.
Initial reports suggest that the fire started in the fifth coach from the engine. However, within a short time, the flames reportedly spread to three other coaches, bringing the total number of affected coaches to four. The exact cause of the fire has not yet been established.
Passengers noticed smoke coming out of one of the coaches before the situation quickly turned alarming. As the smoke grew thicker and flames became visible, panic spread throughout the train. Several passengers reportedly rushed towards the exits and jumped onto the tracks to escape the danger. Some passengers were seen moving away from the train to reach safer locations.
Thick clouds of black smoke could be seen rising above the railway tracks from a distance. The incident created a chaotic situation in the area, with passengers desperately trying to protect themselves and collect their belongings. The train was stopped following the incident, and efforts were initiated to bring the situation under control.
The immediate priority was to control the fire and ensure the safety of passengers. However, details regarding casualties and injuries were not immediately available. It was also unclear whether all passengers had been safely evacuated from the affected coaches.
The cause of the fire remains unknown. Investigators are expected to examine whether an electrical fault, a technical malfunction or another factor triggered the blaze. A detailed investigation will be necessary to establish how the fire started and how it spread across multiple coaches.
The incident has once again raised concerns about fire safety arrangements on long-distance trains. Passengers travelling on the route were left anxious as information about the rescue operation and the condition of those on board remained awaited. Further details regarding the extent of the damage and the restoration of railway services are expected as more information becomes available.
Reader Comments 0