Fire breaks out on running Karmabhoomi Express in Punjab, 4 general coaches burn; passengers jump out

PTC Web Desk:  A fire broke out on the Karmabhoomi Express while it was running in Punjab on Friday afternoon, damaging four general coaches and sending passengers running for their lives.

The blaze started in the general coach attached right behind the engine. Within minutes, it spread to three more coaches. Passengers inside screamed and rushed to get out. As soon as the train came to a halt, many climbed down and ran into nearby fields. Some jumped from the moving train before it stopped.

The incident took place between Sadhugarh station in Fatehgarh Sahib district and Sarai Banjara station in Patiala district. Railway officials, the fire department and rescue teams were alerted immediately.

According to the railways, train number 12508 Karmabhoomi Express was traveling from Amritsar to New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal. The fire started at around 1:15 pm. The Government Railway Police said a short circuit in a coach fan appears to have caused it. No one has been reported injured.

Alternate train arranged

Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (Ambala Division) Yashanjit Singh said the cause of the fire will be investigated. For now, the railways’ focus is on getting passengers safely to their destinations, and an alternate train has been arranged. Passengers were asked to walk to the nearest station, about 500 meters away, from where they will be sent onward.

No casualties, officials say

He said three coaches were completely damaged, while the fourth was partly affected. The train was unreserved, and there are no reports of any casualties so far.

Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay, Chief Public Relations Officer of Northern Railway, said the train’s safety system activated near Sarai Banjara station, which brought it to a stop.

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