Lucknow: A fire scare in the general coach of the Howrah-Amritsar 13006 Punjab Mail Express caused widespread panic on Sunday morning, resulting in approximately 20 passengers getting injured as they hastily jumped off the train.
Seven of the injured were severely hurt and have been admitted to the Government Medical College in Shahjahanpur.
The incident occurred around 8:00 AM between Bareilly and Meerganj Katra stations. Following rumors of a fire in the general coach, the train driver brought the train to an abrupt halt. At the time, the train was partly on a bridge over a river. As soon as the train stopped, passengers, fearing for their lives, began jumping off, creating a chaotic scene.
Punjab Mail: शाहजहांपुर में रविवार सुबह पंजाब मेल एक्सप्रेस में आग लगने की अफवाह से भगदड़ मच गई। घटना में 20 से अधिक यात्री घायल हो गए हैं, जिनमें से 7 की हालत गंभीर बताई जा रही है। हादसा बरेली और कटरा स्टेशन के बीच हुआ। ट्रेन की रफ्तार 50 किलोमीटर घंटा बताई जा रही है pic.twitter.com/wQK3j2mFZx
— Satendra Singh (@TanuSingh890286) August 11, 2024
शाहजहांपुर (UP) – अमृतसर से हावड़ा जा रही पंजाब मेल में आग की अफवाह से मची भगदड़, चलती ट्रेन से कूदे कई यात्री, 20 घायल, 7 गंभीर, ट्रेन में नहीं लगी थी आग, कोच में लगा अग्निशमन यंत्र खुलने के फैलने से हुए गलतफहमी, देखें VIDEO #Shahjahanpur #UttarPradesh #PunjabMail… pic.twitter.com/CKfIhnDhzN
— Peoples Samachar (@psamachar1) August 11, 2024
Upon inspection, the train crew found no signs of a fire in the coach. The driver and guard conducted a thorough check and confirmed that everything was in order. The injured passengers were then transferred to the women’s and guard’s coaches and the train resumed its journey towards Shahjahanpur, where the injured were taken to a hospital.
The train was halted at Shahjahanpur railway station at 10:10 AM on platform number one. Railway officials and RPF personnel quickly arrived at the scene, and five ambulances were called in. Seven seriously injured passengers were admitted to the Government Medical College, and the train was held for about 30 minutes before being allowed to continue its journey after ensuring all was safe.
Miscreants behind the incident
Aditya Gupta, Senior DCM of Moradabad Rail Division, confirmed that miscreants had triggered the incident by discharging a fire extinguisher in the general coach near Bilpur.
This caused panic among the passengers, leading to the stampede. Two passengers sustained injuries during the commotion and were treated on the spot. An investigation is underway to identify those responsible for the act.
