Morena Train Tragedy: Man recalls horror as wife and 4-year-old son die after rumour sparks panic
A tragic railway accident in Madhya Pradesh’s Morena district has left a family shattered after a man witnessed his wife and 4-year-old son being run over by a speeding train following a panic triggered by a false fire alarm.
The victim, Nadeem Khan, said chaos erupted on Sunday when rumours of a fire spread inside the Khajuraho–Udaipur Intercity Express. Panic-stricken passengers pulled the emergency chain and began jumping off the train onto the adjacent tracks.
Khan recalled that in a matter of seconds, passengers were scattered across the railway tracks when the Patalkot Express, travelling on the parallel line, ran over several of them. His wife Afreen and young son Ashad were among those killed.
According to eyewitness accounts, the panic began after some passengers noticed sparks and smoke near the locomotive, which fuelled rumours of a fire. Officials later confirmed that no actual fire had been detected in the train.
Railway authorities said the loco pilot of the Patalkot Express attempted to apply emergency brakes but could not stop in time due to a curve and limited visibility. The train was reportedly moving at around 90 kmph when the accident occurred.
Officials added that preliminary findings suggest a passenger had pulled the emergency chain, though the identity is still being verified. A detailed inquiry has been ordered into the sequence of events that led to the tragedy.
Authorities have also confirmed that multiple passengers who had stepped onto the tracks after the chain-pulling incident were struck by the passing train, leading to multiple fatalities.
The incident has raised serious concerns over passenger awareness, emergency protocols, and the dangers of panic reactions on railway tracks.
