310 passengers stranded as Ekspres Rakyat train engine catches fire

310 passengers were stranded when the engine of the Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTMB) Ekspress Rakyat train caught on fire on the five metre rail track, one kilometre away from the Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTMB) Sungai Gadut station, here today.

State Fire and Rescue Department chief Norazam Khamis said all passengers including the driver were safe and did not suffer any injuries in the incident which occurred at 2.35pm.

“The Ekspress Rakyat train was enroute from Johor Baharu to Butterworth, Pulau Pinang. The engine which caught on fire had caused 80 percent damage to it and the driver sear.

“The fire department which reached the scene of the incident at 2.49pm, managed to put out the fire 10 minutes later preventing it from spreading to other coaches,” said Norazam Khamis as reported by Bernama.

All passengers were ordered to get down from the train and walk back towards KTMB Sungai Gadut following the incident.

As many as 21 officers involving three fire engines from the Seremban, Senawang and Rembau Fire and Rescue Department were rushed to the scene.