A fire broke out in four coaches of the Karmabhoomi Express near Rajpura in Punjab on Friday, November 6. The train was stopped following the incident, and passengers were evacuated as railway authorities and emergency teams rushed to the spot.
The Karmabhoomi Express (Train No. 12508), which runs from Amritsar to New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal, was travelling through Punjab when the fire broke out.
According to preliminary information, the fire was reported in four general coaches of the train. The flames reportedly spread from the engine towards the fifth coach, identified as coach number 265287GS.
The train had departed from Sadhugarh railway station in Fatehgarh Sahib district at 12:58 PM. The fire was reported after it had left the station.
Thick smoke and flames were seen coming from the coaches. People were seen trying to move to safety as the train was brought to a halt.
Railway authorities were alerted immediately after the incident was reported and local police personnel and fire brigade teams reached the spot and started rescue and firefighting operations.
Passengers were evacuated from the affected coaches as efforts were made to control the fire and ensure their safety.
A medical relief train equipped with Accident Relief Medical Equipment (ARME) was also dispatched from Ambala at 1:20 PM following the incident.
According to the Railways, there were no reports of injuries at the time of the initial update. Officials have not confirmed any casualties.
The cause of the fire has not yet been ascertained and further details regarding the extent of damage to the train and the circumstances in which the fire started are awaited.
Railway authorities are continuing to monitor the situation and coordinate the relief efforts.