Balangir: A major accident was averted on Sunday after the engine of Puranakatak-Bhubaneswar Intercity Express got detached from its coaches at Sudpara railway station, moments after departing from Balangir. Railway officials confirmed that all passengers are safe.According to railway sources, the incident occurred around 3 pm, when the engine uncoupled and moved ahead, leaving all the coaches behind on the track. The alert loco pilot noticed the detachment and immediately applied the brakes, preventing a potential tragedy.Panic gripped passengers inside the coaches as the train came to a sudden halt with a loud jolt. Though no injuries were reported, the incident caused disruption in the movement of other trains on the route for some time.A railway official said on receiving information, senior railway engineers and technical staff rushed to the spot. The coupling was reattached after a thorough inspection, and the train resumed its onward journey towards Bhubaneswar at 3.40 pm, the railway official said.East Coast Railway officials have ordered a probe into the incident. Passengers alleged that such incidents point to negligence in maintenance.
