Moving E-Rickshaw Catches Fire After Battery Blast in Jamui, Two Students Seriously Burned Two intermediate students sustained severe burn injuries after an e-rickshaw battery exploded on Jamui-Sikandra main road in Bihar on Friday morning. A horrifying accident took place on the Jamui-Sikandra main road in Bihar on Friday morning when a moving e-rickshaw caught fire following a sudden battery explosion. The incident occurred around 9:30 AM near Dr. Neeraj Sah's clinic. Two intermediate students traveling in the vehicle sustained severe burn injuries as flames quickly engulfed the commercial three-wheeler, while the driver fled the scene immediately after the explosion. Students Warned Driver of Smoke, Warning Ignored The passengers were returning toward their homes in Bhagwana village after attending coaching classes in Jamui. More than half a dozen commuters, including three female students, were traveling together in the e-rickshaw. According to accounts from passengers, wisps of smoke began rising from beneath the carriage shortly after the vehicle crossed the Mahisouri Chowk intersection. Noticing the developing danger, the students repeatedly alerted the e-rickshaw driver and urged him to pull over immediately. However, the driver, who had earphones plugged into his ears, disregarded the urgent shouts and continued driving onward without slowing down. By the time the vehicle reached the stretch near Dr. Neeraj Sah's clinic, the compromised battery exploded with sudden force, instantly trapping passengers inside an expanding fireball. Chaos at the Spot and Rescue Efforts The sudden blast and intense flames triggered panic among commuters and shopkeepers along the busy roadway, causing a momentary stampede-like situation. Local residents quickly rushed toward the burning vehicle to pull the trapped girls to safety and attempt to extinguish the fire. Given the ferocity of the blaze, local efforts could not completely put out the fire until fire brigade tenders arrived on the scene to bring it under control. Taking advantage of the turmoil and panic, the driver escaped on foot and has not yet been identified. Victims Identified and Hospitalized The injured students have been identified as residents of Bhagwana village within the Sadar block area. One victim is 20-year-old Neha Kumari, daughter of Manohar Mahto, while the other is Anjani Kumari, daughter of Manohar Yadav. Following the rescue, bystanders took Anjani Kumari to the nearby private clinic of Dr. Neeraj Sah, where she is undergoing medical care and remains in stable condition. Neha Kumari, who sustained more critical burns, was immediately rushed to the Sadar Hospital. Assessing her critical condition after administering preliminary emergency care, attending doctors referred her to Patna for advanced medical treatment. Police personnel arrived at the location shortly after receiving notification of the blast, gathered statements from victims and witnesses, and initiated a formal investigation into the matter. Past Hazards Involving Commercial Battery Explosions Catastrophic battery failures in electric three-wheelers have caused casualties before. A few months ago, in Delhi's Raghubir Nagar, two people were killed after an e-rickshaw battery exploded inside a warehouse, triggering a fatal blaze. The latest disaster in Jamui once again brings urgent attention to battery maintenance standards, commercial safety protocols, and reckless behavior among commercial vehicle operators on public roads. What this means for you This accident highlights critical passenger safety hazards for daily commuters using low-cost electric three-wheelers across urban and rural routes. • In Bihar: Students and regular commuters travelling via local e-rickshaws in Jamui and neighbouring districts must remain vigilant regarding vehicle maintenance. If smoke, overheating, or burning plastic smells are noticed, passengers should immediately demand an abrupt halt and step out. • Across India: The incident emphasizes the widespread risk of substandard lithium battery packs and uncertified local retrofitting in commercial electric rickshaws. Commuters should actively report drivers who operate vehicles while wearing earphones or ignoring passenger alarms. • Emergency Protocols: In case of smoke or strange sounds from an EV chassis, evacuating the vehicle within seconds is vital before thermal runaway causes an outright explosion. Passengers should never remain seated if an operator refuses to pull over at the first sign of overheating. • Regulatory Enforcement: Local transport departments are expected to tighten periodic fitness checks and battery standard validations for public three-wheelers. Stricter curbs may be imposed on commercial drivers using personal audio devices during operational hours. Why this happened The accident occurred due to an internal battery malfunction that led to an explosion, compounded severely by the commercial driver's blatant negligence. • Driver Distraction and Negligence: The driver was wearing earphones while operating the commercial vehicle and repeatedly ignored explicit alarms raised by students regarding visible smoke. Failing to stop the vehicle immediately denied passengers any window to safely evacuate before the blast. • Thermal Runaway and Electrical Fault: The appearance of smoke as the vehicle crossed Mahisouri Chowk indicates a short circuit or catastrophic cell failure within the battery pack. Overheating rapidly culminated in thermal runaway, causing the casing to burst into aggressive flames. • Precedent Incidents: Substandard battery assemblies and poor safety margins have caused deadly explosions previously, including a warehouse fire in Delhi's Raghubir Nagar that killed two people. • Active Investigation: Local police have initiated inquiries on site, collecting statements from passengers and witnesses to trace the absconding driver and ascertain the exact mechanical breakdown. Questions & Answers 1. When and where did this accident take place? The incident occurred around 9:30 AM on Friday near Dr. Neeraj Sah's clinic along the Jamui-Sikandra main road in Bihar. 2. How did the e-rickshaw catch fire? Smoke started emerging from the moving vehicle before its battery suddenly exploded, engulfing the entire carriage in flames. 3. Who was injured in the fire? Two intermediate students returning from coaching, identified as 20-year-old Neha Kumari and Anjani Kumari from Bhagwana village, suffered burn injuries. 4. Where was the critically injured student referred? Due to severe burn injuries, Neha Kumari was referred from Jamui Sadar Hospital to Patna for advanced treatment. 5. Why did the driver fail to stop after smoke was detected? The driver had earphones plugged in and ignored repeated warnings shouted by the passengers to halt the vehicle. 6. Has the e-rickshaw driver been apprehended? No, the driver fled the spot amid the ensuing panic and chaos, and police are currently working to establish his identity. https://trendkia.com/en/bihar/jamui-men-chalati-i-riksha-ki-baitari-phatane-se-lagi-bhishana-aga-do-chhatraen-jhulasin-45316 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.