Panic on Howrah-Amritsar Mail: Six Hospitalized After Fire Rumor

Six passengers were hospitalized after jumping out of a moving train near Bilpur, Uttar Pradesh, due to a false fire alarm. The Government Railway Police stated the panic ensued from a rumor about a fire, possibly initiated by a miscreant using a fire extinguisher. The Railway Protection Force is investigating.

Six passengers were hospitalized after they jumped out of a moving train in panic near Uttar Pradesh's Bilpur on Sunday following rumors of a fire, Government Railway Police (GRP) officials said.

Earlier, Northern Railway spokesperson Kultar Singh had stated that twelve passengers were injured. The incident occurred in a general coach of the Howrah-Amritsar Mail near Bilpur station, which falls under the Moradabad division.

GRP station in-charge Rehan Khan informed PTI that a rumor of a fire spread when the train reached Bilpur station in Bareilly. Someone pulled the emergency chain to stop the train, causing passengers to jump from the moving train. Six passengers, including two women, sustained injuries and were admitted to Shahjahanpur Medical College.

Khan identified the injured as Anwari (26), Akhtari (45), Kuldeep (26), Ruby Lal (50), Shiv Sharan (40), and Chandrapal (35). Prima facie, it appears that a fire extinguisher was improperly used, leading to the panic. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) is now investigating the case.

(With inputs from agencies.)