Passengers panic as dead viper found in Vande Bharat seat

BENGALURU: Passengers on Bengaluru-bound Vande Bharat Express were left in shock Friday when a dead viper was found lying on a passenger seat inside one of the coaches.

The incident occurred at 2.30pm, shortly before train no. 26652 (Ernakulam Junction–KSR Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express) began its journey from Kerala. The snake was found on a seat in C6 Chair Car coach.

A woman passenger reportedly spotted the viper when she returned to her seat after using the washroom. The discovery caused panic among fellow passengers, who alerted the travelling ticket examiner (TTE) and other onboard railway staff.

The train crew, with the help of passengers, removed the dead viper from the coach. A passenger subsequently filed a complaint through RailMadad portal.

South Western Railway (SWR) officials, however, did not comment on the incident despite attempts by TOI.

The incident has raised questions about pest-control and safety protocols on Vande Bharat trains.

Unlike conventional coaches, Vande Bharat rakes are fully air-conditioned and have sealed gangways and automated doors that open only at scheduled stations, making the presence of a snake inside the passenger cabin unusual.

Railway authorities are yet to establish how the reptile entered the train.

This is not the first reported instance of a snake being found on a Vande Bharat. In Dec 2025, a passenger was accused of deliberately placing a snake inside Mumbai-Solapur Vande Bharat.

Source: The Times of India