Karmabhoomi Express fire near Rajpura: 1,500 evacuated, no deaths

A fire broke out in coaches of the Amritsar–New Jalpaiguri Karmabhoomi Express (12508) near Rajpura in Punjab's Patiala district on Friday afternoon, railway and local officials said. About 1,500 passengers were evacuated. No deaths were reported.

Flames were first noticed around 1–1.30 pm near Sarai Banjara on the Rajpura–Ambala stretch. Four general coaches behind the engine were affected; three were badly damaged and detached, officials said. Ambala Division DRM Vinod Bhatia said railway staff stopped the train, detached the burning stock and that luggage in the affected coaches was damaged.

Government Railway Police officials said a short circuit in a coach fan was suspected, and some passengers reported seeing a spark from a fan. Forensic examination will establish the cause, railways said.

Doctors at Rajpura Civil Hospital treated 15 passengers for minor burns, bruises or breathlessness; eight had minor burns and were described as stable, SMO Dr Sharanpreet Singh told The Times of India. A few passengers who jumped or broke windows in panic also reported minor injuries. Food, water and onward special trains were arranged; eight other trains were diverted.

Patiala Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Aggarwal and SSP Harmandeep Hans visited the site. Local residents helped before fire tenders arrived, officials said. Rail traffic on the section was halted until the damaged coaches were cleared.