Fire breaks out in Karmabhoomi Express near Rajpura, 1500 passengers evacuated safely
Four coaches of the Karmabhoomi Express going from Amritsar to New Jalpaiguri caught fire on Friday afternoon. According to the railways, all 1500 passengers were safely evacuated and there was no loss of life.
Coaches of the Karmabhoomi Express heading from Amritsar to New Jalpaiguri caught fire near the Saran Banjara railway station close to Rajpura on Friday afternoon. According to railway officials, around 1500 passengers on board the train were evacuated in time, averting a major tragedy.
Government Railway Police (GRP) AIG Amarpreet Singh Ghumman stated that preliminary investigation suspects a short circuit in the coach fan as the cause of the fire. Passengers had seen sparks coming out of the fan, after which the loco pilot immediately stopped the train.
According to Rajpura Civil Hospital SMO Dr. Sharanpreet Singh, 15 passengers were brought to the hospital. Out of these, eight complained of minor burns and breathing difficulties. The condition of everyone is out of danger. Fatehgarh Sahib SMO Dr. Jaspreet Singh Bedi stated that one injured passenger was discharged after first aid.
Upon receiving information about the incident, fire tenders, police and civil administration teams reached the spot. Railway staff detached the four affected general coaches from the rest of the train to prevent the fire from spreading further and had the overhead power line shut down.
Patiala Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Agarwal and SSP Harmandeep Hans assessed the spot. The SSP stated that the situation is completely under control and relief operations were carried out with coordination. Adequate arrangements for food, drinks and medical examination of passengers were made at Saran Banjara.
Ambala Division Railway Manager Vinod Bhatia stated that the railway's safety arrangements were activated immediately. A forensic investigation will be conducted to ascertain the exact causes of the fire. He stated that two special trains have been dispatched from Saran Banjara to transport the stranded passengers to their destination.
Key developments
- Karmabhoomi Express coaches catch fire near Saran Banjara in the afternoon
- All 1500 passengers on board the train evacuated safely
- Short circuit in fan suspected as cause of fire in preliminary probe
- 15 passengers taken to hospital after minor injuries and breathing trouble
- Two special trains operated to send passengers ahead
