Viral Video Shows Commuters Running in Panic After Overhead Wire Snaps Near Kolkata’s Dakshineswar Station

Train services on the busy Sealdah-Dankuni section were thrown into disarray on Wednesday night after an overhead electric (OHE) wire snapped near Dakshineswar railway station, halting movement on both the up and down lines for several hours. The incident, which occurred around 8:50 pm, immobilised a down Dankuni-Sealdah local train after the overhead equipment developed a fault, triggering sparks, smoke and panic among passengers on the platform. Videos of the incident that surfaced online showed commuters scrambling and running for safety as the wire came crashing down amid flashes of light. No injuries were reported.

How The Incident Unfolded

Passengers arriving at the station witnessed bright flashes and smoke as the wire snapped, sparking chaos on the platform. Visuals circulating on social media captured the moment panic broke out, with people seen sprinting away from the spot as sparks flew near the tracks. Noida Fire: Massive Blaze Engulfs Scrap Godown in Sector 115 Sorkha, Thick Smoke Triggers Panic (Watch Video).

Rail traffic on the affected stretch was suspended almost immediately as railway engineers rushed to assess the damage. A tower wagon, the specialised vehicle used to repair overhead electrification equipment, was deployed to the site to begin emergency restoration work.

Overhead Wire Snaps Near Kolkata's Dakshineswar Station, Video Shows Commuters Running In Panic

Wider Network Affected

The disruption was not confined to the Dankuni line alone. Train schedules on the Sealdah Main Line and the Bangaon Line were also hit, with several local services running well behind schedule through the evening.

Commuters travelling during peak evening hours bore the brunt of the disruption, with overcrowding reported at multiple stations as delays piled up across the network. Navi Mumbai Fire: Massive Blaze Engulfs Cargo Warehouse at Gavhan Phata Near JNPA, No Casualties Reported (Watch Video).

Restoration Work Continued Into The Night

Repair work stretched late into the night, with services on both lines remaining suspended for several hours as authorities worked to restore power supply and confirm the tracks were safe before resuming operations.

Built-In Safety Measures

Railway officials noted that modern train coaches are designed with several safety features to protect passengers during such electrical faults, including pantographs, insulators and a metal body that functions like a Faraday cage, helping channel stray current away safely.

Investigation Underway

The exact cause of the wire failure has not yet been confirmed, and authorities said an investigation is underway. Passengers have been advised to stay away from railway tracks and to avoid boarding or alighting from moving trains.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 30, 2026 03:10 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).