Fumes emanate from Tirupati-Secunderabad Vande Bharat Express, passenger detained for smoking

TIRUPATI: Panic gripped passengers of the Secunderabad bound Vande Bharat Express on Wednesday after fumes started emanating from a coach. A ticketless traveller was caught smoking in one of the toilets which led to the chaos. The offender was later detained by the Railway Protection Force (RPF).

The South Central Railway reported that a ticketless teaveller, who had entered train number 20702 Tirupati-Secunderabad Vande Bharat Express, had locked himself inside the restroom of the C-13 coach.

Following the accused smoking within the restroom, the automatic aerosol fire extinguisher was triggered, emitting a powdery smoke to extinguish the cigarette fire.

Passengers within the C-13 coach were thrown into a state of panic, prompting them to use the Emergency Talk Back Unit (ETBU) to alert the guard.

Swiftly, RPF personnel rushed to the C-13 coach, equipped with fire extinguishers to quell any potential fire threat.

In response to the situation, the train was promptly brought to a halt by the guard at Manubolu Railway Station. Passengers on board took action by breaking the restroom window from the outside in order to rescue the individual. The unauthorised passenger, responsible for the tumultuous incident, was apprehended by the RPF in Nellore. Police officials stated that appropriate action would be taken in accordance with the Railways Act.

The incident caused a delay of approximately 25 minutes for the Secunderabad-bound Vande Bharat Express.