Runaway train rolls backwards for 12km in India without engine

In a screengrab from a video posted online, an unidentified man screams at passengers to pull the emergency brake found on coaches.

NEW DELHI: India's railway ministry said Sunday a "ghastly" accident was narrowly avoided after 22 train coaches carrying some 1,000 passengers became detached from the engine and sped backwards for miles before being stopped.

The runaway carriages in the eastern state of Odisha rolled for 12km before being brought to a shuddering halt by rocks placed on the tracks by railway staff.