In Pictures: Katra-bound train coach splits at Ludhiana station, major tragedy averted

A major tragedy was averted at Ludhiana railway station on Saturday morning when the coupling connecting two coaches of a Katra-bound express train snapped just before departure, triggering panic among passengers

The incident occurred around 9 am at Platform No 2 when Train 04081 (New Delhi to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Special) was preparing to depart

Railway officials said the mechanical coupling linking two sleeper coaches suddenly stretched and broke, causing the coaches to separate

The impact was so severe that a loud explosion-like sound was heard across all seven platforms of the station

Since the coupling is located near the toilet area of the coach, the force of the breakage also damaged the floor of a toilet in one of the sleeper coaches

Eyewitnesses said passengers from the affected coaches rushed out without even collecting their luggage, while several others at the station also ran for safety. However, railway authorities later clarified that no explosion had taken place

Palwinder Singh, Station House Officer, Government Railway Police (GRP), said that the train was delayed by nearly two-and-a-half hours and finally departed at around 11.30 am after railway technical staff rectified the fault

Punjab Police personnel also reached the railway station immediately after receiving information about the blast-like sound

However, after preliminary assessment, it was decided that the investigation would be handled by the railway authorities and the GRP