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Two coaches of Patalkot Express train catch fire in Agra; 13 injured
Four bogies of the Patalkot Express train were detached and five fire engines were pressed into action to douse the fire
Two coaches of the Patalkot Express train caught fire on Wednesday when it was passing Agra district in Uttar Pradesh, leading to burn injuries to 13 passengers, officials said.
The train was on the Agra–Jhansi section when it caught fire.
Prashasti Srivastava, spokesperson for Agra Zone of North Central Railway, said a probe has been ordered by the Agra divisional railway manager (DRM).
Deputy commissioner of police (DCP) Agra West, Sonam Kumar, said seven people sustained burn injuries and were treated at the emergency ward of SN Medical College and Hospital. Other six with simple injuries were admitted to a facility near the spot, the senior police officer who was at the site said.
“Technical experts, along with senior railway authorities, reached the spot near Bhandai, which is about 10 kms from Agra,” the DCP said.
“Initially, smoke was detected in one of the coaches of Patalkot Express... The train was brought to a halt around 3.45pm on Wednesday. In all, four bogies were detached... Five fire engines were pressed into action to douse the fire,” Srivastava said.
The spokesperson said many passengers were relocated through Durg Humsafar Express, which had stopped at a nearby track.
The Patalkot Express began its journey from Firozpur at 4.10am On Wednesday, and reached Agra Cantt around 3.13pm before leaving for Gwalior, the next station. As it crossed Bhandai railway station, smoke was spotted on the train, which was stopped before it reached Jajau on Agra-Jhansi line.
The train was supposed to reach Seoni in Madhya Pradesh around 7.15am on Thursday after covering a distance of 1,492 kms.
“I was watching my mobile in general bogie of train when suddenly smoke filled the bogie. Chaos and panic gripped the passengers, and they all ran towards the exit gate. Because of dense smoke, passengers including me were vomiting,” said Mohit Kumar (30), who had boarded the train from Mathura railway station. He was heading to Bhopal to collect his marksheet along with another student, Shivam.
“In panic, I had to leave my bag which contained the original mark sheet for my High School (10Th) and Intermediate (12th) exams, besides other important documents. The bag also had some money, and I could not even take my mobile phone in panic,’ said Kumar, who was admitted to the emergency ward of SN Medical College.
Another injured passenger, Rahul kumar (24), who is also being treated at the SN Medical College and Hospital, said, “I boarded Patalkot Express at Bahadurgarh station in Haryana and was going to Jhansi to appear for an exam on October 27. Suddenly the light placed in the bogie fell on me. As smoke prevailed, I ran to another connected coach and pulled the chain. We jumped out in panic when the train stopped but my two bags were left behind.They might have been burnt.”
