A fire broke out in three to four coaches of the Karmabhoomi Express in Punjab on Friday afternoon, November 6, forcing passengers to evacuate and disrupting services on the Ambala–Rajpura section. No injuries or deaths have been reported so far.
The train, numbered 12508 and running between Amritsar and New Jalpaiguri, caught fire near Sarai Banjara and Basantpura railway stations, about 15 km from Rajpura in Patiala district, at around 1 pm.
The fire is believed to have started in a moving train, which is why passengers had to be moved out quickly while the train was halted. Railway officials said the flames had been doused and arrangements were being made to shift passengers to another train to continue their journey.
The cause of the fire has not been officially confirmed. Sources said a short circuit is suspected. The extent of the damage to the coaches is not yet known.
No casualties have been reported. Police investigation is underway.
This is a developing story.
(With inputs from media reports)