Dholpur/Morena. A tragic accident has come to light on Sunday evening on Hetampur-Dholpur railway section under Jhansi division of North Central Railway. A stampede in the Intercity Express going from Khajuraho to Udaipur due to a mere rumor of a mobile phone exploding took away four innocent lives. Following the rumour, the passengers who got down on the tracks in panic were hit by the Patalkot Express coming from the other direction, due to which three women and a child died on the spot.
Train stopped due to rumor of mobile blast and chain pulling
According to the information received, at around 4:15 pm on Sunday evening, train number 19665 Khajuraho-Udaipur Intercity Express was passing between Hetampur and Dholpur stations. Meanwhile, a rumor spread about a mobile phone suddenly exploding in a coach of the train. There was panic and chaos among the passengers sitting inside the bogie, after which a passenger hurriedly pulled the alarm chain (ACP) and the train stopped midway.
In a race to save their lives, passengers reached the other track
According to eyewitnesses, as soon as the train stopped, many passengers hurriedly got down from the coach for safety. Some of these people moved towards another railway line (track) passing nearby. Meanwhile, train number 20424 Firozpur – Seoni Patalkot Express passed there at very high speed from the up-line direction. The passengers standing on the track did not even get a chance to recover and were hit by the Patalkot Express.
Mother and son also included among the dead; Were residents of Agra and Bikaner
In this horrific accident, four people died tragically on the spot. Railway Police has established the identities of the deceased:
Shankutala Singh (60 years), wife Bhura Singh (Resident: Agra)
Afreen (35 years), wife Nadeem (Resident: Agra)
Asad (4 years), son Nadeem Khan (Resident: Agra) – Afrin and Asad were mother and son.
Birma Devi (60 years), (Resident: Bikaner)
Pooja, a female passenger returning from Bageshwar Dham, told that as soon as the train stopped, people got upset and jumped down. However, the railway administration has not yet officially confirmed any mobile blast inside the bogie.
Top officials reached the spot; Investigation orders issued
After the accident, there was an outcry on the railway track. As soon as the information was received, Railway Protection Force (RPF), Government Railway Police (GRP) and local administrative teams immediately reached the incident site. The police have taken possession of all four bodies and sent them for post-mortem and their families have been informed.
Higher officials of North Central Railway have ordered a detailed investigation into this entire incident. It is being ascertained who spread the rumor of mobile blast and why and under what circumstances the chain pulling was done.
Railway’s appeal: Do not pay attention to rumors, do not get on the tracks
After this tragic incident, the Railway Administration has strongly appealed to the general public and railway passengers not to pay attention to any unconfirmed rumor during the journey. In case of any emergency or sudden stoppage of the train, do not get down from the train without the permission of the railway staff, especially do not go to the adjacent track. Ignoring safety rules can prove fatal.
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