Two persons died after a massive fire broke out in the engine of Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express around 11 am on Friday near Chathaat in Darjeeling district in West Bengal.
Railway officials said the driver of the train pulled the emergency brakes and stopped the train near Chathaat station in Phansidewa block of Darjeeling under Siliguri sub-division, when detected the smoke from the engine.
The Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express is a weekly superfast train that connects Chandigarh to Dibrugarh in upper Assam.
Four fire tenders rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control.
According to locals, the duo died after they jumped off the train in an attempt to save their lives. A few other passengers have suffered minor injuries.
A few passengers were taken to New Jalpaiguri station while others have been taken to Chathaat station.
The cause of fire is likely to be due to short circuit. North Bengal development minister Rabindra Nath Ghosh is expected to reach the spot to assess the situation.
