In a harrowing incident, the New Delhi-Darbhanga Special Express train was engulfed in flames near Etawah in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday evening, resulting in the destruction of three coaches and injuries to eight passengers. The cause of the fire remains unknown as plumes of black smoke billowed out from the affected coaches.
Officials on the scene reported that one coach was completely gutted, while two adjacent coaches suffered partial damage. A fourth coach was filled with smoke, prompting the detachment of all four coaches from the train. Many passengers experienced significant losses as a result of the incident.
Several hours later, another tragedy unfolded when a coach of the Delhi-Saharasa Vaishali Express caught fire around 2:40 am on Thursday while passing through an area under the Friends Colony police station. Some passengers were taken to the hospital, and the details of their injuries are currently under investigation.
Uttar Pradesh Relief Commissioner Naveen Kumar confirmed that eight people, including four from Bihar, were injured in the first fire and were admitted to the Etawah district hospital. The nature of their injuries is being ascertained. Etawah Superintendent of Police Sanjai Kumar initially reported four minor injuries, stating that they were not burn injuries according to preliminary information.
The quick response of fire tenders to the New Delhi-Darbhanga Special Express prevented a potentially larger tragedy. Himanshu Upadhyay, Chief Public Relations Officer of North Central Railways, revealed that the guard at the Sarai Bhopat junction near Etawah noticed smoke emanating from the affected coach. The train was promptly stopped, and all passengers were evacuated.
“Alert railway officials averted a big tragedy today,” Upadhyay emphasized.
In the wake of the incident, the Railways took swift action to accommodate affected passengers in the remaining coaches of the train. Additional coaches will be added to the train once it reaches Kanpur, ensuring a more comfortable journey for passengers.
The dual incidents have raised concerns about the safety and security of railway travel, prompting authorities to conduct thorough investigations into the causes of the fires. Passengers are left grappling with the aftermath, emphasizing the need for enhanced safety measures and preparedness in the Indian railway system.
