Fire on Karmabhoomi Express train in Punjab: Passengers evacuated, 8 trains diverted

Fire on Karmabhoomi Express train in Punjab: Passengers evacuated, 8 trains diverted

Punjab train fire: Panic gripped passengers aboard the Karmabhoomi Express after a fire broke out in the engine of the Karmabhoomi Express, which further spread to nearby coaches of the moving train in Punjab’s Patiala district on Friday afternoon.

Railway officials said three coaches were completely gutted in the blaze, but all passengers were evacuated and transported to Ambala. Arrangements were made for them to continue their journey on an alternative train, they added. Eight other trains were diverted following the incident, while a forensic investigation was initiated to establish the cause of the fire.

The train, 12508, was running from Amritsar to New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal, and the incident took place a little ahead of Rajpura station.

The incident happened around 1.30 pm near Sarai Banzara village when flames were first seen in bogie number 1.  “Around 1,500 passengers were travelling on the train. As soon as the fire was detected, the railway safety mechanisms were activated, and the loco pilot, guard and other railway staff acted promptly to detach the affected coach from the remaining coaches. The luggage in the three affected coaches was damaged,” said Vinod Bhatia, Railway Manager of the Ambala Division of Northern Railway, who visited the site along with other senior railway officials. The train was immediately stopped near Sarai Banjara village, following which passengers were evacuated. Before the fire was extinguished, it had spread to four coaches, according to sources.

When passengers noticed the fire, a few of them tried jumping out of the moving train in panic. Sources said that 2-3 passengers sustained minor injuries while they attempted to jump. Villagers came to help the passengers even before the fire brigade arrived, they added. Bhatia said that rail traffic on both sides of the track had been halted as a precautionary measure to ensure passenger safety and prevent anyone from jumping out of the coaches in panic.

Efforts are being made to remove the fire-affected coaches from the track and restore rail traffic, he said.

Patiala Deputy Commissioner Dr Himanshu Aggarwal and SSP Harmandeep Hans also visited the spot to take stock of the fire incident.

Aggarwal said that there had been casualties and that the district administration acted promptly to extend all possible assistance to the passengers. A team of doctors was also deployed at Sarai Banjara Railway Station to conduct medical examinations of the passengers.

Sharing details of the incident, Aggarwal said that residents of Sarai Banjara acted swiftly, while coordinated efforts by the civil administration, police, fire brigade and railway teams helped bring the fire under control. He said that the courage, prompt response and teamwork displayed by all the teams and residents helped avert a major tragedy.

Appreciating the Railways, he said the passengers had been accommodated on another train and sent onward to their respective destinations. He urged their family members not to worry.

SSP Hans said that police teams, including the SP and DSP of Rajpura, along with the Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF), reached the spot and immediately joined the relief and rescue operations. He said that the situation was now completely under control.

The Ambala Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) office said the fire had been extinguished.