Dubai: At 6.40pm on Tuesday, a Dubai Metro train heading towards Rashidiya on the Red Line came to an abrupt halt between Al Jafiliya and Al Karama stations.

Some passengers claimed that they were stuck in the train for more than 40 minutes and eventually had to walk along the tracks to Al Karama station.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), however, said that passengers were evacuated within 20 minutes.

Speaking to Gulf News, some passengers said it was a harrowing time.

A Filipina passenger, who didn’t wish to be named, said: “Immediately after leaving Al Jafiliya station, the train slowed down and in 30 seconds or so it stopped. It was above the traffic junction near Sana Fashion. The power inside the train was on, the LCD screens and the emergency button were working. Many people pressed the button, but there was no response,”

Mohammad Rafiq, a Bangladeshi commuter, said: “When there was no response after pushing the emergency button, I called the police.” He added that after a while people had trouble breathing as the train was crowded and the air-conditioning shut off.

Another passenger claimed that a couple of people fainted. “A passenger pulled the lever to break open the door, but we were scared to get off as we knew he tracks were electrified. After another 20 minutes Metro officials arrived and guided us to the sidewalk on the Metro viaduct from where we reached Al Karama station,” he said.

The passenger said he checked in at Al Jafiliya station at 6.46pm and eventually landed at Al Karama station (the next station on the Red Line) at 7.53pm.

According to RTA, there is an emergency exit on the line every 500 metres, but passengers claimed to have difficulty finding one where the train stopped.

Operations were stalled for two hours between the Business Bay and Union stations, but the rest of the Red Line operated normally. The Green Line functioned normally.

An RTA official said commuters were provided free shuttle service. “All passengers were evacuated in 20 minutes. Announcements were made guiding passengers in the affected trains,” Moaza Saeed Al Merri, Director, Marketing and Corporate Communications, RTA.

She added that Dubai Metro is designed with walkways alongside the tracks leading to exits every 500 metres, which can be used to evacuate commuters in case of emergencies.

“Alternative modes of transportation were provided. RTA deployed 110 taxis and 39 buses over the existing number to serve commuters between the affected stations and provided announcements assisting passengers with directions.”

The technical issue was resolved in two hours.