Five passengers of Bhagalpur Express died after being run over by the Howrah-bound Kalka Mail at Manda Road railway station on Sunday evening.

At least five people died after being run over by the Howrah-bound Kalka Mail at Manda Road railway station on Sunday evening.

A loud bang was reportedly heard as the Bhagalpur Express passed through the railway crossing in Bampur, and a rumour spread that the engine was on fire, creating panic among its passengers. As the train came to a halt at Manda Road, passengers rushed onto the adjacent track to escape the ‘fire’, unaware of the approaching train.

Many passengers were still on the track when Kalka Mail passed through the station, running over at least five people, including a woman from Patna.

The lone woman who died in the incident was identified as Basanti Devi, 35. Devi was on her way to Patna with her husband, Ravindra Kumar, and brother-in-law.

Inspector, GRP, Manoj Kumar Singh said the incident was being investigated, and the death toll could rise as efforts were on to identify the other victims.

“Scared passengers seem to have started running after getting down from the coaches after stopping the train and got hit by Kalka,” PRO, North Central Railway, Amit Malaviya confirmed. He said some cattle were run over by the train at the railway crossing, which produced the loud noise.