UK TREND : The public’s reaction to TFL’s chaotic smoke incident

6 May 2023

At around 6 o’clock on Friday, terrified passengers in London smash train windows and exit the train’s carriage at Clapham Common. TFL stated that “We’re sorry for the distress caused at Clapham Common,” after announcing the launch of an investigation into the incident.

People, however, weren’t pleased with TFL‘s response and took to Twitter to demand an explanation for what happened and why the doors locked, causing people to panic. Following the incident, the news has been trending on social media platforms across the UK.

CLAPHAM COMMON Train incident #london #TfL #Fire #BCCNEWS #Londontube pic.twitter.com/NH9rwqHBM2

— BIG P (@BlGPTV) May 5, 2023

UK Trend: what does TFL spend money on?!

people walking on train station

Jake Sharp, a commuter, claimed that the situation quickly descended into “hysteria” when they realised, they were stuck on the carriage and could see other people running from the station.

Individuals were furious and were questioning “ what does TFL spend money on, as they are constantly raising their fares, yet in the situation of an emergency like this the doors will not open ?”

But I want to understand why they weren’t able to open the doors in an emergency? @TfL uping fares and spending it on what exactly? Shitty as Elizabeth Line & Coronation station signs that nobody asked for?🙄 https://t.co/46kKce2KYx

— stelly🇩🇲 (@estellej_xox) May 5, 2023

Some Twitter users joked about how it seems that TFL only likes taking money from people and shared that “ Sadiq Khan will now be asking for hundreds of thousands from the passengers for the damages they caused”.

People were demanding answers from TFL, as they tweeted that “ the issue now is not the fire nor the smoke, but the problem is that passengers panicked while trapped, doors were locked ?”.

Although it was later confirmed that there was no real fire, people were still disappointed and stated that this “ does not excuse the fact that the doors failed to open in what could have been an emergency. Not everyone can throw themselves out a smashed window”.

Just because there was no fire, doesn’t excuse the fact the doors failed to open in what could have been an emergency. 🙄🙄 come on, not everyone can throw themselves out a smashed window

— Gunner (@AS_Northbank) May 5, 2023

Another Twitter user shared that “ TFL’S excuse that there was no actual fire is not good enough. As if there was a real fire, deaf or blind people would be screwed well before the services get there.”