Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh witnessed chaos on Sunday morning as a fire rumor in the general coach of the Punjab Mail train led to widespread panic among passengers. The incident, which occurred between Bareilly and Miranpur Katra stations at around 8 AM, resulted in over 20 injuries, with seven passengers reported to be in critical condition.

Incident Details

The turmoil began when a fire extinguisher in the general coach of train 13006 Punjab Mail was activated by mischief-makers. This action caused the train to stop abruptly, fueling rumors of a fire. In the ensuing panic, passengers began leaping from the coach, resulting in numerous injuries. The situation was exacerbated as the train was only partially on a bridge, with half of the coach hanging over the edge.

Response and Rescue Efforts

Immediately following the incident, first aid was administered to the injured passengers at the scene. The authorities, including railway and Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel, were quick to respond. The train was stopped for approximately 30 minutes before it was confirmed that there was no actual fire. Around 10:10 AM, the Punjab Mail reached Shahjahanpur, where the injured passengers were assisted by the railway and RPF teams. They were then transported to a local hospital via ambulances. Seven passengers with serious injuries were admitted to a medical college for further treatment.

Investigation and Clarification

The Muradabad Rail Division’s senior Divisional Commercial Manager (DCM) confirmed that the activation of the fire extinguisher by certain individuals led to the train’s abrupt halt and subsequent panic. An investigation is underway to identify those responsible for causing the disturbance. The authorities have clarified that there was no fire in the train, and the situation was solely due to the false alarm created by the misuse of the fire extinguisher.

Ongoing Measures

In the wake of the incident, additional safety measures are being reviewed to prevent such occurrences in the future. The focus is on ensuring the safety of passengers and improving response protocols during emergencies. The incident has highlighted the need for greater vigilance and effective communication in managing train operations and passenger safety.

As the situation stabilizes, railway authorities are working to restore normalcy and address the concerns of the affected passengers. The incident serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining safety standards and addressing rumors promptly to avoid unnecessary panic.