New Delhi: A major fire broke out early Sunday morning on the Thiruvananthapuram-Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express in the Ratlam district of Madhya Pradesh. The incident occurred around 5:15 AM between the Luni Richha and Vikramgarh Alot stations—under the Kota Division of the West Central Railway—affecting Coach B-1 and the adjacent SLR (Seating-cum-Luggage Rake) coach of Train Number 12431.
So far, there are no reports of any injuries or casualties. According to reports, there were 68 passengers on board the coaches when the fire was detected.
“Around 5:15 AM today, information was received that a fire had broken out in Coach B and the SLR coach of Train Number 12431, the Thiruvananthapuram-Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express… Upon receiving news of the incident, the railway administration immediately alerted the district administration, and all passengers were promptly deboarded from the train. Fortunately, no passengers sustained any injuries. The affected coaches were isolated and detached from the rest of the train, and the local fire department was summoned—with the assistance of the local administration—to extinguish the fire,” stated Harshit Shrivastava, CPRO (Chief Public Relations Officer) at the West Central Railway Headquarters.
“The train is currently halted, and it will resume its onward journey as soon as a diesel locomotive arrives. Food has been provided to the affected passengers, and they will be accommodated in other coaches of the train. Furthermore, plans are being made to attach a new coach at Kota so that the affected passengers can be transferred into it, ensuring they do not face any inconvenience. Affected passengers may contact the railway helpline numbers for assistance. Information regarding this incident can also be obtained by dialing 139. The primary cause of the fire has not yet been ascertained, but an immediate inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause,” he added.