A rumour of a mobile phone blast and fire on the Khajuraho-Udaipur Intercity Express led to panic, forcing passengers to alight on the tracks. Four were run over by the Patalkot Express.

A 39-second video has emerged showing the precise moment the Patalkot Express mowed down passengers standing on the tracks near Morena on Sunday evening. The footage, recorded by a passenger on the stranded Khajuraho-Udaipur Intercity Express, captures over 100 people standing on the railway line with luggage and cloth bundles, unaware of the approaching danger.

The loco pilot of the Patalkot Express can be heard sounding the horn repeatedly, but the crowd fails to clear the track in time. Emergency brakes were applied, but the train, moving at speed, ploughed through before coming to a halt some distance ahead.

Rumor That Triggered the Tragedy

The chain on the Khajuraho-Udaipur Intercity Express (Train No. 19665) was pulled around 4:15 pm between Hetampur and Dholpur stations. According to railway officials, a passenger spread a rumour that a mobile phone had exploded inside a coach, causing a fire. Panic spread instantly.

Manoj Kumar Singh, Public Relations Officer of the Jhansi Mandal, confirmed that passengers pulled the chain and rushed out onto the track. "A six-member committee will inspect the site and record statements from officials and eyewitnesses. Action will follow based on their report," he said.

Bodies Scattered for Half a Kilometre

Four passengers were killed. Their remains were scattered over approximately 500 metres along the track. Rescue teams had to collect body parts into cloth bundles for post-mortem. Families who arrived later faced immense difficulty identifying their loved ones.

The deceased have been identified as Birmadevi (60) from Bikaner, Rajasthan; Shakuntala Singh (60) from Runakta, Agra; Afreen (35) and her four-year-old son Asad, residents of Sultanganj in Agra.

How the Accident Unfolded

A farmer collecting wood in the nearby jungle was the first to alert police. At the time, officers from Sarai Chhola and Civil Lines police stations were conducting an action against illegal sand dumping close by. They rushed to the spot immediately and informed railway authorities.

The Patalkot Express was on the adjacent track. Officials said the loco pilot had little time to react as passengers suddenly scrambled in different directions. The train passed through the crowd before stopping further down the line.

Compensation and Investigation

Morena SP Dharamraj Meena and Collector Yogesh Kumar Jangid reached the site on Sunday night. Post-mortems were completed and bodies handed over to families by Monday morning. "The affected families will receive every possible assistance," SP Meena assured.

Railway officials have announced financial compensation for the next of kin. The six-member committee will submit its report based on statements from railway officers and eyewitnesses.

Frequent Chain-Pulling Complaints

Amit Chaudhary, RPF Station House Officer, pointed out that chain-pulling complaints are common between small stations like Sikrauda, Ghera and Hetampur after trains leave Morena. "Authorised information will only come from the Jhansi Mandal office," he said.

Birmadevi was returning to Jaipur after visiting Bageshwar Dham with neighbours and relatives, according to a co-passenger named Ganesh. He said someone spread the fire rumour, causing people to jump off in fear.

The railway administration has urged passengers not to believe or spread unverified rumours inside trains. Officials said strict action would be taken against those found responsible for spreading panic.