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Join NowGarib Rath Express : A terrifying scene unfolded this morning near the Sirhind railway station in Punjab when a fire broke out on the Amritsar-Saharsa Garib Rath Express (Train No. 12204), a popular train heading from Ludhiana to Delhi. The incident, which occurred shortly after dawn, triggered a swift and dramatic emergency response that averted a major catastrophe.
“We Saw Smoke Billowing”: A Journey Turns to Terror
The journey took a horrifying turn around 7:30 AM on Saturday. The Garib Rath Express had just departed from Sirhind station and had traveled barely half a kilometer when passengers in one of the coaches noticed thick, acrid smoke pouring out. Panic quickly spread as the realization of a fire onboard dawned on the travelers. Passengers immediately raised an alarm, and the train was brought to an emergency halt in the middle of the tracks.
Within minutes, what was a routine morning commute transformed into a race against time. Eyewitnesses described a chaotic but controlled evacuation as railway staff, alerted to the danger, rushed to the scene to begin rescue operations.
Heroic Response Averts Tragedy
According to local police officials, emergency alerts were triggered immediately, and police and railway teams converged on the location with remarkable speed. Their first priority was the safe evacuation of every passenger from the affected coach and surrounding carriages. Passengers were calmly guided to safety and shifted to other parts of the train, away from the blaze.
“The situation is now completely under control, and all passengers are safe,” a senior police officer at the scene confirmed. “Our teams, along with railway authorities, acted instantly to manage the situation.”
While officials have confirmed that there were no fatalities or major injuries, one woman sustained minor injuries during the evacuation and has been admitted to a local hospital for treatment.
Railway officials provided further details, explaining that the fire was confined to a single coach (G-14). Firefighting teams were deployed, and they successfully extinguished the blaze before it could spread to adjacent coaches. “The fire was limited to a specific area and was doused quickly,” a railway spokesperson stated in an official release. “All passengers were safely transferred to other coaches. There has been no harm to any passenger. The train will depart for its destination shortly.”
Investigation Underway as Track Restoration Begins
The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation. Forensic teams and railway safety officials are currently at the site, meticulously examining the charred coach to determine the source of the blaze. All possibilities, from a short circuit to mechanical failure, are being explored.
Meanwhile, crews are working to clear the track and restore normal rail traffic on the busy route. The affected coach has been detached from the train, which is being prepared to resume its journey after a thorough safety inspection. Passengers experienced a delay, but their safety was the primary focus of the entire operation.
This incident has once again put the spotlight on the critical importance of emergency preparedness and rapid response systems within the Indian Railways network, which serves millions of passengers daily. The coordinated efforts of the railway staff, police, and passengers themselves were instrumental in preventing what could have been a devastating tragedy.
