MRT Train Withdrawn From Service as White Smoke Seen in One Carriage

MRT Train Withdrawn From Service as White Smoke Seen in One Carriage. (Screengrabs: @askfar_/TikTok)

Commuters on board a westbound MRT train on the East-West Line (EWL) were guided to alight after white smoke was seen in one train carriage on Friday (May 20) afternoon.

Keen-eyed trainspotters have identified the affected train as one of the first-generation trains in passenger service since the line opened in the late-80s.

Smoke in MRT Train Caused by Leaking Aircon Compressor

Freon gas from the leaking air-conditioning compressor

Commuters stood up to look at the adjacent train carriage affected by the smoke. (Credits: @askfar_/TikTok)

In response to media queries, President of SMRT Trains Lam Sheau Kai said Freon gas from a leaking air-conditioning compressor caused the emission of white smoke in one train carriage.

Freon gas is a type of refrigerant used in air-conditioning appliances and is non-combustible.

He added that the incident happened at around 5pm near Kembangan MRT station on the EWL, and passengers were guided to alight and board the next train as a safety precaution.

“Our staff did not receive any reports of commuters who needed medical attention. We apologise for affecting your journey,” Mr Lam said.

TikTok video of the incident is widely circulated on the platform

Commuters guided to alight from the withdrawn MRT train. (Credits: @askfar_/TikTok)

In the TikTok video posted, more than a handful of commuters on board an MRT train stood up to look in the direction of an adjacent train carriage.

A commuter at the gangway linking both carriages was seen waving her hand, seemingly due to the smoke emitting from the affected carriage.

The in-train information systems indicated that the train arrived at Kembangan MRT station and was westbound towards Tuas Link MRT station on the EWL.

The video then cut to SMRT staff guiding commuters to alight from the train at around 5pm, with the train then withdrawn from passenger service.

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External Links
Commuters disembark train at Kembangan MRT station after white smoke spotted in one cabin – The Straits Times [Accessed 21 May 2022]
White smoke seen in train due to leaking aircon compressor, commuters disembarked as a precaution: SMRT – TODAYonline [Accessed 21 May 2022]
White smoke in train at Kembangan MRT station causes commuters to disembark – Yahoo News Singapore [Accessed 21 May 2022]
“Happened around 4.57pm 20 May 2022 @ Kembangan MRT station 😱 #sgviral #mrt #smokesmell #sgtiktok #tiktoksg🇸🇬 #fypシ” – @askfar_/TikTok [Accessed 21 May 2022]

Screengrabs from @askfar_/TikTok.
This article first appeared on SGTrains.