Anti-Social Elements Attempting to Jeopardise Passenger Safety: Indian Railways on Fire Incidents

Indian Railways has claimed that a recent string of fire incidents aboard several trains is the result of deliberate sabotage, with initial investigations pointing to the involvement of "anti-social elements."

In an official statement released Wednesday, the Ministry of Railways detailed four separate cases-occurring in Amarpura, Kota, Sasaram, and Howrah-where evidence suggested malicious intent.

The latest scare involved the Mithila Express, stationed at Howrah, where a fire broke out in one of the coaches. Railway officials said an investigation uncovered a half-burnt piece of cloth soaked in petrol inside the coach. "Railway staff demonstrated promptness and brought the situation under immediate control, thereby averting a major disaster," the ministry said.

In other incidents, bedding material was allegedly set ablaze in Amarpura, flames were spotted emerging from a washroom area of a Rajdhani Express in Kota, and an unidentified person reportedly hurled a burning object into an unoccupied coach in Sasaram.

"The preliminary circumstances suggest that certain anti-social elements are attempting to jeopardise passenger safety and sow fear and disorder within the railway system," the statement added. The Railway Protection Force (RPF), along with other agencies, is conducting detailed investigations into each case.

Ministry of Railway says - "Today, following a report of a fire in a coach of the Mithila Express while it was stationed at Howrah, an investigation was conducted which led to the recovery of a half-burnt piece of cloth soaked in petrol...Railway staff demonstrated promptness and… https://t.co/JREChtOqEK pic.twitter.com/sZGVjNTRZV

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2026

The announcement comes just days after a major fire broke out in an air-conditioned coach of a Delhi-bound Rajdhani Express in Madhya Pradesh's Ratlam district. That incident, which occurred around 5:15 a.m. between Vikramgarh Alot and Luni Richha stations, involved the B-1 coach carrying 68 passengers. No injuries were reported, but thick black smoke rose high into the air, and trees near the tracks also caught fire. The blaze disrupted rail traffic, affecting nearly 18 train schedules and forcing several trains to halt at various stations.

Passengers have been urged to remain alert and report any suspicious activity immediately to the Railway Helpline at 139. "We take these incidents very seriously," the ministry reiterated.