An investigation has been launched by Indian Railways after a freight train without a driver traveled more than 70 km (43.4 miles).
According to videos shared on social media, the train was seen zooming past several stations at high speed.
The train reportedly traveled from Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir to the Hoshiarpur area in Punjab on Sunday without a driver.
The railways however said the train was brought to a halt and no one was hurt.
Officials said the incident took place between 07:25 and 09:00 local time (01:55 and 3:30 GMT) on Sunday.
The 53-wagon train, carrying chip stones, was on its way to Punjab from Jammu when it stopped in Kathua for a change in crew.
Officials said it began moving down a slope on the railway tracks after the train driver and his assistant got off.
It moved at a speed of nearly 100km/h and managed to cross about five stations before it was stopped.
“The train was stopped after a railway official placed wood blocks on the tracks to stop the train
“The wooden blocks helped reduce the speed of the train.” officials said
Officials said they are trying to identify the exact reason for the train’s movement after it stopped at Kathua to avoid such incidents in the future.
Chioma Kalu
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