An investigation has been launched by the Indian Railways following an incident where a freight train traveled over 70km (43.4 miles) without any drivers onboard.

Videos circulating on social media depicted the train speeding past multiple stations with no one at the controls. According to reports, the unmanned train journeyed from Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir to Hoshiarpur district in Punjab on Sunday.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the train was successfully brought to a halt. Officials informed the Press Trust of India (PTI) that the incident occurred between 07:25 and 09:00 local time (01:55 and 3:30 GMT) on Sunday.

The train, consisting of 53 wagons carrying chip stones, was en route to Punjab from Jammu when it made a crew change stop in Kathua. Subsequently, it began rolling down a slope on the tracks after the train driver and assistant disembarked.

The unmanned train reached speeds of nearly 100km/h, passing through approximately five stations before authorities managed to stop it. Upon receiving alerts about the situation, officials promptly closed railway crossings along the train's route.

"The train was stopped after a railway official placed wood blocks on the tracks to stop the train," officials told PTI.

The wooden blocks helped reduce the speed of the train.

Officials told PTI 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.

Noted