Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express catches fire, 2 dead

Darjeeling: Fire broke out in the engine of 15904 Up Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express on Friday. Two persons died when they jumped out of the running train and seven passengers suffered injuries in the incident.

The incident occurred around 11:15 am when the train was between Chaterhaat station and Nijbari station in the Phansidewa block of Siliguri. The engine of the running train suddenly caught fire.

Soon, the fire spread to the luggage van and the guard's compartment. A general compartment also caught fire. In a state of panic passengers started jumping out of the moving train.

Two died while jumping out of the moving train. The driver managed to stop the train and local residents and police arrived in some time. A fire engine was also called in. The DRM of the North East Frontier Railway also reached the spot. The injured passengers have been admitted to North Bengal Medical College and Hospital in Siliguri.

A medical team also arrived with the relief train. Another engine drove the train back to the Chaterhaat station where the damaged bogies were separated. At 3:35 pm the train resumed journey for Dibrugarh.

"An inquiry by the Commissioner of Railway Safety, Northeast Frontier Railway, Kolkata, Government of India, has been ordered into the incident," said Pranabjyoti Sharma chief public relations officer.

Owing to the incident trains, including the Dibrugarh- New Rajdhani Express, Kamakhya- Puri Express, Silchar- Trivandrum Express and Kamakhya- Rajendranagar Capital Express, were diverted to run via Siliguri Junction-Bagdogra- Alubari Section. All up trains coming towards New Jalpaiguri are also being diverted via this route.

This apart, 13173 Up Kanchanjungha Express was detained at Malda Town station from 1:35 pm to 2 pm. Bengal Tourism minister Goutam Deb visited the spot and interacted with the passengers.

"Maintenance of the long-distance trains should be emphasised by the Railways," said Deb.