India
oi-Swastika Sruti
A major fire scare was reported on Sunday morning after a blaze broke out in one of the coaches of the Rajdhani Express travelling from Thiruvananthapuram to Hazrat Nizamuddin.
A fire occurred in coach B-1 of the Thiruvananthapuram-Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express (Train No. 12431) on Sunday between Luni Richha and Vikramgarh Alot stations in Kota Division; all passengers were safely evacuated with no injuries, the fire is controlled, and its cause is under investigation.
According to railway officials, the incident took place in the B-1 coach of Train No. 12431 Thiruvananthapuram-Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express while the train was moving between Luni Richha and Vikramgarh Alot stations in the Kota Division of West Central Railway.
The fire reportedly started near the SLR end of the coach, triggering panic among passengers onboard. However, railway authorities confirmed that all passengers travelling in the affected coach were safely evacuated and no injuries or casualties were reported.
A short circuit caused a sudden fire on the Rajdhani Express from Thiruvananthapuram to Hazrat Nizamuddin (Delhi) at 5:15 a.m. on May 17, 2026. The fire spread to two coaches, causing widespread panic among passengers.
The incident occurred between Luni and Alot railway stations… pic.twitter.com/JjygdcJWnT
— Dharm (@dhram00) May 17, 2026
Fire Triggered Emergency Response
Soon after the fire was detected, railway officials initiated emergency safety procedures to prevent the situation from worsening.
Officials immediately disconnected the overhead electric (OHE) power supply in the affected section as a precautionary measure. The B-1 coach where the fire broke out was then detached from the train rake to stop the flames from spreading to nearby coaches.
A fire was reported in B-1 coach (near SLR end) of Train No. 12431 Thiruvananthapuram–Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express between Luni Richha (LNR) and Vikramgarh Alot (VMA) at Km 729/02 (Loco) & 728/14-16 (SLR) in Down direction. All passengers of the affected coach were safely… pic.twitter.com/uOJXP5xqUj
— ANI (@ANI) May 17, 2026
Railway staff and emergency teams quickly reached the spot and launched firefighting operations. Officials worked to bring the situation under control while ensuring passenger safety.
According to railway authorities, the timely evacuation and quick response helped avoid a major tragedy.
Passengers Shifted Safely
Officials stated that passengers travelling in the affected coach were safely moved away after the incident. Although panic spread briefly after smoke and flames were noticed inside the coach, railway staff reportedly acted quickly and coordinated the evacuation process.
No injuries among passengers or railway personnel have been reported so far.
Railway authorities are now expected to arrange alternative travel support and operational adjustments for affected passengers.
Train Movement Affected In Kota Division
The fire incident also disrupted train movement in the section for some time.
According to officials, Train No. 12955 was halted at Mahidpur Road station due to the emergency situation and operational restrictions in the affected area.
Railway authorities later said efforts were underway to clear the section and restore normal train movement as quickly as possible.
The incident caused temporary disruption in the Kota Division route while safety inspections and emergency procedures were carried out.
Cause Of Fire Under Investigation
Railway officials have confirmed that the exact reason behind the fire is still being investigated. Authorities are examining whether the blaze was caused by an electrical fault, technical malfunction or any other operational issue inside the coach.
A detailed inquiry is expected to be conducted to determine how the fire started and whether additional safety measures may be required in future.
Growing Concerns Over Railway Safety
The incident has once again raised concerns regarding railway safety and emergency preparedness on long-distance trains.
Although no casualties were reported in this case, passengers often face panic and confusion during onboard fire incidents, especially in premium trains carrying large numbers of travellers.
Railway officials have repeatedly stressed the importance of quick emergency response systems, regular technical inspections and fire safety protocols to prevent such incidents from turning deadly.
The Rajdhani Express is considered one of Indian Railways’ premium long-distance services, connecting major cities across the country.
Situation Brought Under Control
Officials later confirmed that the fire was brought under control and the affected coach had been separated from the rest of the train to avoid further damage.
Railway teams continued inspections at the site while operations gradually resumed in the affected section. Further details regarding the extent of damage and the final cause of the fire are expected after the completion of the investigation.
