Terrifying Fire Breaks Out on Karmabhoomi Express! At Least 4 Coaches Gutted, Passengers Panic and Flee
A terrifying fire broke out on the Karmabhoomi Express while it was on its way from Punjab to New Jalpaiguri (NJP). The fire spread to at least four coaches of the train. Within moments, the entire area was enveloped in black smoke. Panicked passengers jumped off the train and started running around. Several people are reported to have been injured in the incident. However, no deaths have been reported so far.
It is learnt that the 12508 Karmabhoomi Express had left Amritsar for NJP on Friday. The fire broke out around 1 pm near Rajpura station in the Sarai Banjara area of Punjab. Preliminary reports suggest the fire first started in the fifth coach after the engine. It then quickly spread to three other adjacent coaches.
Several fire engines and railway officials reached the spot as soon as the fire was reported. After considerable effort, the fire was brought under control. Pictures and videos of the Karmabhoomi Express fire have already spread on social media. They show flames blazing from several coaches of the train and the sky being covered with thick black smoke.
However, there are differing statements about the cause of the fire. Preliminary assessment by Patiala District Magistrate Himanshu Aggarwal suggests the fire may have spread from the pantry car. A short circuit is also not being ruled out. On the other hand, GRP SHO Gurpreet Singh claims the fire originated from a short circuit in a fan of one coach. An investigation has nonetheless been launched to determine the actual cause of the fire.
A senior railway official of Ambala Division said there were no reports of any passenger deaths in the incident. Medical arrangements are being made for the injured. The damaged train cannot be taken further to NJP. Therefore, the railway authorities are arranging to safely evacuate the passengers and take them to their destinations by other trains.
However, it is still unclear whether the fire has affected train movement on the concerned railway line. All eyes are now on the railway's investigation to find out how such a terrifying fire broke out on a moving train.
