Fire rumours may have triggered panic before deadly Morena train accident, preliminary findings suggest

Several passengers were killed and others injured in Madhya Pradesh's Morena district on Sunday after they disembarked from a halted train and were hit by an oncoming express train, according to preliminary information provided by railway authorities. Early findings indicate that rumours of a fire aboard the train may have triggered panic among some passengers before the accident occurred.

The incident took place near Hetampur railway station in the Jhansi Division of North Central Railway after the train – the Khajuraho-Udaipur Intercity Express – came to a halt at around 4.15 pm.

Rumours of fire reportedly sparked panic

Initial reports suggested that passengers began getting off the train after rumours spread about a possible fire onboard.

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Railway authorities, however, said the train had stopped because a passenger pulled the Alarm Chain Pulling (ACP) mechanism in a general coach.

Officials said the circumstances leading to the incident were still being examined.

Rescue operations launched at the site

Police personnel and district administration officials reached the location soon after the incident.

Rescue and relief operations were initiated as authorities worked to assist those affected.

Railway officials said further details were being ascertained.

The exact number of people killed or injured has not yet been officially confirmed.