4 killed by oncoming train after passengers jump onto nearby tracks over fire rumour in MP
While rumour of fire led to passengers stopping train by pulling emergency chain, officials say no fire was subsequently detected
A rumour of a fire aboard the Khajuraho-Udaipur Intercity Express train triggered panic among passengers in Madhya Pradesh’s Morena district on Sunday, leading to a tragic chain of events that culminated in at least four people, including children, being killed after being struck by another train.
The incident occurred near Hetampur railway station in the Jhansi division of North Central Railway at around 4.15 pm, when passengers travelling in the Intercity Express reportedly began shouting that a fire had broken out inside the train.
According to railway officials and eyewitness accounts, no fire was subsequently found on the train. However, the alarm chain was pulled in one of the general coaches, bringing the train to a halt between Hetampur and Dholpur stations.
Anirudh Kumar, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Jhansi Railway Division, said preliminary inquiries had found no evidence of a fire aboard the train. According to officials, the curved alignment of the track may have limited the visibility of the approaching Patalkot Express for passengers who had descended onto the railway line. Railway authorities said the locomotive pilot attempted emergency braking but was unable to stop the train in time.
“The Khajuraho-Udaipur Intercity train had stopped after chain-pulling, and some passengers, including women and children, got down. At the same time, the Patalkot Express was approaching from Agra on the adjacent curved track. Due to the curve, those on the track may not have seen the train. Despite the driver’s attempt to apply emergency brakes, the train, moving at high speed, ran over them. So far, reports confirm the deaths of three women and one child,” Kumar said.
Following the rumour of a fire in the Intercity Express, panic spread through the coaches, and passengers rushed to disembark. Several people jumped from the train and moved onto an adjacent railway track.
Moments later, the Firozpur-Seoni Patalkot Express approached on those tracks at speed. Before many of those standing on the tracks could react, the train struck them, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries.
Initial reports from local authorities put the death toll at four — three women and a child.
Eyewitnesses said the panic began after confusion among passengers charging mobile phones in one of the coaches. Someone allegedly shouted that a fire had broken out, causing alarm to spread rapidly through the train. Within minutes, passengers began moving towards the exits, and some reportedly attempted to jump off even before the train had come to a complete stop.
Many of the passengers were reportedly returning from Bageshwar Dham and were travelling with families when the incident occurred.
“The train was stopped after chain-pulling. People were frightened and got down onto the tracks. Another train then came from the opposite side,” said Morena SP Dharamraj Meena.
Railway officials, Railway Protection Force personnel, Government Railway Police teams and district administration officials rushed to the scene after receiving information about the accident. Rescue and relief operations were launched immediately, and ambulances were deployed to transport the injured to nearby hospitals.
The accident disrupted rail traffic in the section for several hours as officials carried out rescue operations and cleared the tracks. Railway authorities later said both trains were allowed to proceed after emergency measures were completed and the route was declared safe for movement.
Authorities have launched a detailed investigation into how the rumour originated and the circumstances that led passengers to leave the train and enter the railway tracks. Officials are also examining whether any safety lapses contributed to the scale of the tragedy.
A rumour of a fire aboard the Khajuraho-Udaipur Intercity Express train triggered panic among passengers in Madhya Pradesh’s Morena district on Sunday, leading to a tragic chain of events that culminated in at least four people, including children, being killed after being struck by another train.
The incident occurred near Hetampur railway station in the Jhansi division of North Central Railway at around 4.15 pm, when passengers travelling in the Intercity Express reportedly began shouting that a fire had broken out inside the train.
According to railway officials and eyewitness accounts, no fire was subsequently found on the train. However, the alarm chain was pulled in one of the general coaches, bringing the train to a halt between Hetampur and Dholpur stations.
Anirudh Kumar, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Jhansi Railway Division, said preliminary inquiries had found no evidence of a fire aboard the train. According to officials, the curved alignment of the track may have limited the visibility of the approaching Patalkot Express for passengers who had descended onto the railway line. Railway authorities said the locomotive pilot attempted emergency braking but was unable to stop the train in time.
“The Khajuraho-Udaipur Intercity train had stopped after chain-pulling, and some passengers, including women and children, got down. At the same time, the Patalkot Express was approaching from Agra on the adjacent curved track. Due to the curve, those on the track may not have seen the train. Despite the driver’s attempt to apply emergency brakes, the train, moving at high speed, ran over them. So far, reports confirm the deaths of three women and one child,” Kumar said.
Following the rumour of a fire in the Intercity Express, panic spread through the coaches, and passengers rushed to disembark. Several people jumped from the train and moved onto an adjacent railway track.
Moments later, the Firozpur-Seoni Patalkot Express approached on those tracks at speed. Before many of those standing on the tracks could react, the train struck them, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries.
Initial reports from local authorities put the death toll at four — three women and a child.
Eyewitnesses said the panic began after confusion among passengers charging mobile phones in one of the coaches. Someone allegedly shouted that a fire had broken out, causing alarm to spread rapidly through the train. Within minutes, passengers began moving towards the exits, and some reportedly attempted to jump off even before the train had come to a complete stop.
Many of the passengers were reportedly returning from Bageshwar Dham and were travelling with families when the incident occurred.
“The train was stopped after chain-pulling. People were frightened and got down onto the tracks. Another train then came from the opposite side,” said Morena SP Dharamraj Meena.
Railway officials, Railway Protection Force personnel, Government Railway Police teams and district administration officials rushed to the scene after receiving information about the accident. Rescue and relief operations were launched immediately, and ambulances were deployed to transport the injured to nearby hospitals.
The accident disrupted rail traffic in the section for several hours as officials carried out rescue operations and cleared the tracks. Railway authorities later said both trains were allowed to proceed after emergency measures were completed and the route was declared safe for movement.
Authorities have launched a detailed investigation into how the rumour originated and the circumstances that led passengers to leave the train and enter the railway tracks. Officials are also examining whether any safety lapses contributed to the scale of the tragedy.
