PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, April 19: Chaos erupted on Saturday aboard the Tatanagar-Kharagpur MEMU train (No. 58021/58022) when a fire broke out near Ghatshila station.
The incident was reportedly caused by a failure in the train’s braking system, narrowly averting a major rail disaster.
Sparks from Friction Ignite Fire
According to reports, the MEMU train had departed from Tatanagar in the morning and was nearing Ghatshila when its braking system suddenly failed.
As the train sped ahead uncontrollably, sparks generated from the friction between the wheels and tracks quickly turned into flames.
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Passengers Jump Off Moving Train
Thick smoke and visible flames triggered panic among passengers. In desperation, several people jumped off the moving train, resulting in serious injuries. Many passengers also lost their belongings in the chaos.
Driver’s Alertness Prevents Major Tragedy
Thanks to the presence of mind shown by the train driver and supporting staff, the train was brought to a halt near Ghatshila station, preventing what could have been a catastrophic accident.
However, once the train stopped, angry passengers began protesting against the railway authorities, claiming that the train had pre-existing technical issues but was still allowed to operate.
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No Official Statement from Railways Yet
As of now, there has been no official statement from the railway administration. Sources suggest that an investigation has been ordered to determine the exact cause of the fire.