Passengers were evacuated from the Delhi-bound Rajdhani Express early Sunday morning after a fire broke out on the train [1, 2].
The incident highlights the critical nature of emergency response and passenger safety protocols on India's high-speed rail network, where rapid evacuations are essential to prevent mass casualties during onboard fires.
The fire occurred around 5:30 a.m. [1] on Train No. 12431. The blaze was located near Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh, specifically between the Luni Richha and Vikramgarh Alot stations within the West Central Railway’s Kota Division [1].
Reports regarding the extent of the fire vary. One report said the fire occurred in the B-1 coach [1], while another source said that the fire erupted in two coaches [5].
Emergency responders worked to remove passengers from the affected areas. According to one report, 68 passengers were rescued from the train [2]. Other accounts said that passengers were safely evacuated, though they did not provide a specific number [1].
Authorities have not yet reported the cause of the fire. The train was traveling toward Delhi when the emergency occurred on Sunday morning.
“Passengers were evacuated from the Delhi-bound Rajdhani Express early Sunday morning”
The discrepancy in reports regarding the number of coaches affected and the exact location of the fire suggests an evolving situation with fragmented early reporting. However, the successful evacuation of nearly 70 passengers indicates that emergency protocols were activated quickly enough to avoid reported fatalities.
