In a harrowing incident today, a potential disaster was averted as a goods train, laden with stones, traveled driverless for approximately 70 kilometers in Punjab, instigating widespread panic. Authorities revealed that the train’s driver inadvertently forgot to engage the handbrake before disembarking from the stationary train at the Pathankot station, setting in motion a perilous journey along an uneven track.
The unmanned freight train, hurtling at a speed of 100 kilometers per hour, traversed five stations before being brought to a halt in Uchi Bassi. Quick-thinking railway officials managed to intervene by strategically placing wooden blocks on the tracks, effectively stopping the locomotive and preventing a catastrophe.
Fortunately, no casualties were reported in this alarming incident. The 53-wagon train, en route from Jammu to Punjab, was successfully halted without any harm to individuals or infrastructure.
A video capturing the high-speed passage of the train has since gone viral on social media, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
Authorities are currently undertaking a comprehensive investigation to identify potential safety lapses that led to this incident. “The exact cause of the occurrence is yet to be ascertained,” officials commented, emphasizing the urgency of preventing such incidents in the future. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of stringent safety protocols within the railway system to avert potential disasters and protect both lives and property.