In a tense situation in central India’s Madhya Pradesh, a moving train’s engine unexpectedly caught fire, prompting passengers to flee towards nearby fields for safety.

The incident took place between Runicha and Pritamnagar railway stations on October 27.

Visuals showed smoke engulfing the train, while passengers nearby appeared visibly distressed as they tried to assess the situation.

According to reports, the engine of train number 09347 DEMU, traveling from Dr. Ambedkar Nagar (Mhow) to Ratlam via Indore, suddenly ignited between Runicha and Pritamnagar. As soon as the fire began, the driver halted the train, allowing passengers in the affected coaches to quickly disembark and head towards nearby fields. Bilpank police station in-charge Ayub Khan, along with local villagers, arrived promptly and managed to extinguish the engine fire using water pipes connected to nearby fields. Although a fire brigade was dispatched to the scene, limited access to the railway tracks delayed their efforts. Fire extinguishers onboard were ineffective due to the fire’s location in the engine’s lower compartment, leading passengers and the driver to use mud in a failed attempt to douse the flames until villagers arrived.

The railway administration has since ordered an inquiry into the incident. Notably, DEMU trains have experienced frequent issues recently, with a similar fire incident recorded at Pritamnagar station in April 2023.