Stampede on Punjab Mail Due to Fire Scare

Lucknow: A fire scare in the general coach of the Howrah-Amritsar 13006 Punjab Mail Express led to chaos on Sunday morning, injuring around 20 passengers as they jumped from the moving train. The incident, which occurred around 8:00 AM between Bareilly and Meerganj Katra stations, resulted in seven individuals suffering severe injuries, necessitating their admission to the Government Medical College in Shahjahanpur. The train driver halted the train abruptly after receiving reports of a fire, which was alarming as the train was partially on a bridge over a river at the time. Upon inspection by the train crew, no evidence of a fire was found, and the situation was deemed safe. The injured passengers were subsequently moved to the women’s and guard’s coaches, allowing the train to continue its journey towards Shahjahanpur. Upon arrival at Shahjahanpur railway station at 10:10 AM, railway officials and RPF personnel were on hand to assist, with five ambulances dispatched to the scene. The train was held for approximately 30 minutes to ensure safety before resuming its route. Aditya Gupta, Senior DCM of Moradabad Rail Division, confirmed that the incident was instigated by miscreants who discharged a fire extinguisher in the general coach near Bilpur. Two passengers were injured during the ensuing panic but received on-the-spot treatment. An investigation is currently underway to identify those responsible for this alarming act.