Commuters were evacuated from a train at Bukit Gombak MRT station on Tuesday, 15 September, after smoke was seen coming from the train.
The incident happened at about 11.40am.
SMRT Trains president Lam Sheau Kai said preliminary checks suggested that the smoke may have been caused by a faulty brake.
No commuters were reported to have needed medical assistance.
Commuters Asked to Leave Train as Safety Precaution
According to SMRT, staff helped all passengers get off the train safely after the smoke was detected.
The affected train was then taken out of service and sent to the depot for further checks.
Videos circulating online showed smoke around the train and commuters gathered on the platform.
The Straits Times reported that one video showed passengers covering their noses as smoke spread across the platform. The stationary train was on the Jurong East-bound side of the station.
Despite the incident, SMRT said train services continued to operate normally.
Passenger Waited About 8 to 10 Minutes for Next Train
One passenger, 44-year-old Ming Wing Cheong, told CNA that he was among those asked to alight from the train.
According to CNA’s interview with him, passengers were not initially told what had happened, leaving him unsure about the situation.
He said he saw smoke around one of the train cars.
The disruption to his journey was relatively short. He told CNA that he waited about eight to 10 minutes before the next train arrived.
SMRT did not report any injuries arising from the incident.
As of the afternoon of 15 September, the operator’s preliminary assessment was that a faulty brake may have produced the smoke. The train remained subject to further checks at the depot.
