Punjab Train Accident: Four Injured In Firecracker Explosion On Amritsar-Howrah Mail

An explosion in a general compartment of the Howrah Mail travelling from Amritsar to Howrah occurred at around 10:30 pm on Saturday, close to Sirhind Railway Station. The blast, reportedly caused by firecrackers stored in a bucket, caused panic as nearly 20 passengers jumped from the moving train to escape potential danger, resulting in four injuries.

The injured passengers, identified as Ajay Kumar and his wife Sangeeta Kumari from Bihar’s Bhojpur, Ashutosh Pal from Uttar Pradesh and Sonu Kumar from Bihar’s Nawada, were immediately taken to Civil Hospital in Fatehgarh Sahib for treatment. 

Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) have launched an investigation into the incident to determine the source of the firecrackers and any possible intent behind their presence on the train.

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According to Rakesh Pal, the brother of injured passenger Ashutosh, the family was alarmed by a sudden explosion. He recounted that they were asleep when they heard the blast, prompting many passengers, including Ashutosh, to leap from the train out of fear. Ajay and Sangeeta were travelling to Bihar to celebrate Chhath Puja, having boarded the train at Phagwara station. Sonu Kumar mentioned that he boarded the Howrah Mail from Jalandhar.

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GRP Deputy Superintendent Jagmohan Singh confirmed that all injured passengers are now in stable condition. Initial findings suggest that a bucket filled with firecrackers ignited unexpectedly, leading to the explosion, though the ownership of the bucket remains unclear. Authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the blast.