A major train accident was narrowly averted at Dakshineswar railway station in Kolkata on Wednesday night (29 July) after an overhead electric (OHE) wire snapped and fell onto a moving local train, triggering heavy sparks and thick smoke that caused panic among passengers.
The incident occurred around 8.50 p.m. when the Dankuni-Sealdah down local train came to a halt after a fault developed in the overhead equipment. Videos from the station showed bright sparks and smoke as the live wire came into contact with the train.
Despite the alarming scene, no injuries were reported. Railway officials said the train's metallic body acted as a Faraday cage, preventing electric current from passing through passengers inside the coaches.
As a precaution, railway authorities immediately switched off the power supply and suspended train services on the affected section. Emergency response teams and railway engineers rushed to the spot and began restoration work. Train movement on both lines remained suspended for several hours as repairs continued late into the night.
Railway authorities have not yet disclosed the cause of the OHE wire snapping, and an investigation is expected.
