Last week, a heartbreaking incident occurred aboard the Ernakulam-Hazrat Nizamuddin Millennium Superfast Express (Train No. 12645), where a passenger lost his life due to an upper berth falling on him. The victim, identified as 62-year-old Ali Khan, was resting on the lower berth in the sleeper coach when the incident took place.

Reports indicate that the upper berth, occupied by another passenger, suddenly collapsed, causing severe injuries to Khan. Railway authorities swiftly responded to the emergency. At approximately 6:34 pm on June 15, 2024, the station master at Ramagundam station was alerted about the incident. The train made an unscheduled stop, and Khan was immediately moved to an ambulance arranged by the railway staff. He was rushed to a hospital in Hyderabad for urgent medical attention. Sadly, despite efforts by medical personnel, Khan passed away during surgery.

In a statement, Indian Railways clarified that the accident was not caused by a defective berth. Their investigation revealed that the upper berth fell because the passenger occupying it had not properly secured it with the chains provided. According to a spokesperson from the Railway Ministry, "The upper berth fell down due to improper placement of the chain. The passenger in seat no. 57 (lower berth) of coach S/6 did not secure the upper berth as required."

The Railways expressed their condolences to the family of Ali Khan and emphasized the importance of adhering to safety protocols. They urged all passengers to ensure that upper berths are correctly secured using the provided chains to prevent such tragic incidents in the future.

This unfortunate event serves as a poignant reminder for passengers to prioritize safety measures while traveling on trains. Indian Railways remains committed to enhancing passenger safety and continues to stress the significance of following guidelines to avoid accidents onboard trains across the country.