At least 12 train passengers were killed in western India Wednesday after being struck by another train on an adjacent track after they jumped from their coaches in panic to escape a rumored fire incident,

The Pushpak Express train had stopped after some passengers pulled an emergency chain following panic over sparks inside one of the coaches.

A rumor of a fire on a train in India led to a panic, causing several passengers to jump from the coaches and into the path of another train on Wednesday afternoon, officials said. Twelve people died in the incident.

Authorities reported "sparks inside one of the coaches" which the passengers mistook for fire, causing panic. India's antiquated railway system is subject to deadly accidents annually, despite investment to modernize it.

No fewer than 13 passengers have died, and five others injured in a tragic incident in India’s Maharashtra state. The victims were struck by a train on an adjacent track after they disembarked their Mumbai-bound train due to rumours of a fire on board,