9 Passengers Injured As Fire Erupts In Coaches Of Patalkot Express In Agra

The Patalkot Express during its journey between Agra and Dholpur was suddenly engulfed y fire in the third and fourth coaches. Nine people were admitted to hospitals following the incident.

The Patalkot Express train was brought to a halt, and the affected coach was promptly detached from the train.

Source : ANI

A blaze erupted in two coaches of the Patalkot Express train in Agra district, Uttar Pradesh, on Wednesday afternoon. The fire left at least nine passengers injured, officials have confirmed, as per news agency PTI. The train was en route to Seoni in Madhya Pradesh from Firozpur Cantonment in Punjab when the fire suddenly engulfed the third and fourth coaches from the engine at around 3:45 pm, PTI reported authorities as saying.

The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, with Agra Railway Division PRO Prashasti Srivastava noting that immediate details surrounding the incident are not yet known.

This fire incident on the Patalkot Express unfolded between the Bhandai and Jajau stations, both part of the North Central Railway's Agra Division. Tragically, two coaches were entirely consumed by the flames, and the adjacent coaches were also affected, prompting authorities to detach four coaches from the train. However, officials have assured that the situation is now under control.

The train's departure to its intended destination was delayed but, after accommodating the passengers from the affected coaches in other carriages, it resumed its journey at 8:50 pm, according to a railway spokesperson.

Dr. Prashant Gupta, Principal of S N Medical College in Agra, disclosed that a total of nine individuals had been admitted to hospitals as a result of the incident, PTI reported. Seven were received at his hospital, while two were taken to a nearby medical facility. He further stated that three patients have already been discharged from both hospitals, and the remaining six are currently being treated. Their injuries are said to be minor burns, as per PTI's report.

To manage the emergency, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) of the Agra Police Commissionerate, Sonam Kumar, reported that five fire tenders and a forensic team swiftly responded to the scene as soon as the fire was reported.

Railway sources told PTI that Bhandai station is situated approximately 10 kilometers from Agra station, and the fire incident occurred when the train was en route from Bhandai to its next station, Jajau. Notably, the incident led to interruptions in train operations along the Agra-Dholpur route, with several trains being held at various stations due to the emergency situation.

The Patalkot Express plies its route between Firozpur Cantonment in Punjab and Seoni in Madhya Pradesh, providing a vital link between the two states. A similar fire occurred in August when two air-conditioned coaches of the stationary Udyan Express at Bengaluru City Railway Station caught fire. Fortunately, there were no casualties as no passengers were onboard when the fire erupted on the morning of August 19.