Garib Rath Train Fire: The dream of a peaceful journey amidst the golden sunshine and cool breeze of the morning suddenly turned into a blaze of smoke and flames. A horrific fire on the Garib Rath Express (train number 12204) traveling from Ludhiana to Delhi forced passengers to grapple with life and death. In a desperate attempt to save their lives, many had to jump from the moving train, injuring several others.
One passenger’s alertness saved many lives
It was a normal morning. The train was crossing Sirhind station at around 7 a.m. when an alert passenger noticed black smoke rising from coach number 19. He saw smoke coming from the AC coach. Realizing the gravity of the situation, the passenger immediately raised an alarm and pulled the emergency chain to stop the train. But it was too late. Along with the smoke, flames were now visible, creating panic and chaos inside the coach.
Passengers began jumping from the train to save their lives.
Flames and thick smoke engulfed the entire coach in an instant. Breathing became difficult, and visibility became near zero. In this situation, passengers, forced to save their lives, jumped out of doors and windows. Many fell or suffered other injuries. The scene was terrifying and chaotic, with everyone running to safety.
The railway’s swift action brought the fire under control
Upon receiving information about the incident, the train’s TTE and guard immediately arrived at the scene. They not only informed the railway control room but also arranged for the passengers to be safely evacuated and shifted to other coaches. Railway police and local administration teams also quickly arrived at the scene and began extinguishing the fire. After approximately an hour of intense effort, the fire was completely brought under control, and the train was allowed to continue its journey.
A short circuit is being cited as the initial cause of the fire
The railway administration responded promptly to the incident and issued a statement stating that there was no major loss of life or property due to the fire. Based on preliminary investigations, the cause of the fire is believed to be an electrical short circuit in the coach. However, to confirm this, an expert team from railway engineering has launched a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of the incident.
In the ensuing chaos, passengers injured in the accident were immediately provided with first aid. The railway ensured that all passengers could safely continue their journey. This incident once again underscores the importance of safety protocols and emergency preparedness during rail travel.