Panic Over False Fire Alarm on Intercity Express Ends in Tragedy, Four Killed by Passing Train in Madhya Pradesh

A rumour of a fire aboard the Khajuraho-Udaipur Intercity Express triggered panic among passengers in Madhya Pradesh’s Morena district on Sunday, setting off a tragic chain of events that claimed the lives of at least four people, including children.

The victims were struck by another train after disembarking from the halted Intercity Express and stepping onto an adjacent railway track.

The heartbreaking incident occurred near Hetampur railway station in the Jhansi Division of North Central Railway at around 4.15 pm.

According to railway officials, passengers travelling in one of the general coaches suddenly began shouting that a fire had broken out inside the train, causing fear and confusion to spread rapidly.

No Fire Found on Train

Preliminary investigations by railway authorities found no evidence of any fire aboard the Khajuraho-Udaipur Intercity Express.

However, amid the panic, someone pulled the emergency alarm chain in one of the coaches, bringing the train to an abrupt halt between Hetampur and Dholpur railway stations.

According to officials and eyewitnesses, several passengers immediately rushed towards the exits.

Fearing for their safety, many jumped off the train and moved onto the nearby railway tracks.

Passing Express Train Strikes Passengers

At the same time, the Firozpur-Seoni Patalkot Express was approaching from the Agra side on an adjacent railway line.

Railway authorities said the section of track where the incident occurred has a curved alignment, which may have significantly restricted the visibility of the approaching train for passengers who had stepped onto the tracks.

Anirudh Kumar, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of the Jhansi Railway Division, said the locomotive pilot of the Patalkot Express attempted emergency braking after noticing people on the tracks.

However, the train was travelling at considerable speed and could not be brought to a halt in time.

“The Khajuraho-Udaipur Intercity Express had stopped after chain-pulling, and some passengers, including women and children, got down from the train.

At the same time, the Patalkot Express was approaching on the adjacent curved track. Because of the curve, those on the railway line may not have seen the approaching train.

Despite the driver’s efforts to apply emergency brakes, the train ran over them. So far, reports confirm the deaths of three women and one child,” Kumar said.

Rumour Triggers Chaos

According to eyewitnesses, panic spread rapidly after confusion arose among passengers who were charging mobile phones in one of the coaches.

Someone allegedly shouted that a fire had erupted inside the compartment, creating alarm among passengers.

Within moments, fear swept through the train. Several passengers reportedly attempted to disembark even before the train had come to a complete stop.

The confusion quickly escalated into chaos as people rushed towards the doors and scrambled to get off the train.

Many of those travelling on the Intercity Express were reportedly returning from Bageshwar Dham and were accompanied by family members, including women and children.

Police and Railway Teams Rush to the Spot

Morena Superintendent of Police Dharamraj Meena said the train had been stopped following the emergency chain-pulling.

“The passengers became frightened and got down onto the railway tracks. Another train then arrived from the opposite direction,” he said.

Following information about the accident, teams from the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Government Railway Police (GRP), district administration and railway authorities immediately rushed to the site.

Rescue and relief operations were launched without delay. Ambulances were deployed, and the injured were shifted to nearby hospitals for medical treatment.

Rail Services Disrupted for Hours

The accident caused major disruption to train operations in the section for several hours.

Railway personnel remained engaged in rescue efforts and track clearance operations before normal movement could be restored.

Authorities later said that both the Khajuraho-Udaipur Intercity Express and the Patalkot Express were permitted to continue their journeys after emergency procedures were completed and the route was declared safe.

Investigation Underway

Railway authorities have ordered a detailed investigation into the circumstances that led to the tragedy.

Officials are examining how the rumour of a fire originated, why panic spread so quickly among passengers and what factors prompted people to leave the train and move onto active railway tracks.

Investigators are also assessing whether any procedural lapses or safety shortcomings contributed to the scale of the accident.

The incident serves as a tragic reminder of how misinformation and panic can have devastating consequences within minutes.

What began as an unverified rumour of a fire ultimately turned into a heartbreaking railway tragedy, leaving several families mourning the loss of their loved ones.