Katia Deng/ Shanghai Daily news

A train caught fire in Tai Lam Tunnel this morning when it arrived at New Territories in Hong Kong. Nearly 1,000 commuters were evacuated and six of them were hospitalized for inhaling heavy smoke, Xinhua news agency reported today.

Heavy smoke was apparently coming from the roof of the train around 9:15am when the train was in the Tai Lam Tunnel.

Almost 1,000 commuters were evacuated immediately, many of whom walked about half an hour to exit the tunnel. Nine people suffered injuries for inhaling heavy smoke and six of them were sent to hospital.

“I felt my body shake and then the train stopped. The conductor asked us to keep calm and told us to escape from the emergency exits,”a commuter said.

A patrolman said he heard a blast when the fire occurred.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation. Train services between Tsuen Wan W. Station and Kam Sheung Road Station have been suspended.