Lightning struck tree falls on Sealdah-Lalgola train; Coach catches fire, passengers jump to escape

A fire broke out late Wednesday night in a ladies’ coach of the Sealdah-Lalgola Fast Passenger train near Rejinagar station in Murshidabad district, West Bengal. The incident occurred after a large tree fell on the coach, which was reportedly caused by a lightning strike during severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in the area. The fire quickly spread, prompting passengers to evacuate, with several reportedly jumping from the moving train to avoid the flames.

The train had just crossed Betuadhari station when the tree fell on the coach in the Dadpur area under Rejinagar police jurisdiction. Police from Rejinagar station and railway authorities arrived promptly at the scene. The train was stopped at the location, and rail traffic on the affected track was temporarily suspended for safety reasons. No injuries or casualties have been reported so far.

Railway officials confirmed that the cause of the fire was the lightning-induced fall of the tree onto the train. An investigation into the incident is ongoing to determine the exact sequence of events and assess damage. The railway authorities are monitoring the situation and have implemented temporary safety measures on the affected railway line.