Portuguese traveller recalls uncomfortable train moment: “One of the boys followed me and tried to open the bathroom door”

A routine train journey in India turned stressful for a Portuguese traveller, Ines Faria, who shared her experience online. In a video, she described an incident that made her feel unsafe and highlighted the importance of staying alert while travelling.Faria said the journey began normally, but soon a group of men sitting across from her and her friend started staring at them and even changed seats to keep watching. The constant attention made them uncomfortable.“We were on a 3AC train in India, which is usually very safe and the class we normally take. But during this ride, a group of boys sitting across from us kept staring, changing seats, and watching us constantly. It started to feel really uncomfortable,” she said.The situation escalated when she went to use the train toilet. To avoid passing directly by the men, she chose one in another compartment.“About 30 seconds after I entered the bathroom, one of the boys followed me and tried to open the door,” she said. Fortunately, her friend noticed the situation and waited outside for support.The two women later reported the incident to the train’s ticket examiner. According to Faria, the staff responded quickly and moved them to another coach.“After that, we reported it to the ticket officer, who handled the situation and moved us to another compartment (2AC) where we felt much safer,” she said, also thanking the staff for their help.Despite the upsetting moment, Faria said most of her experiences travelling in India have been positive. She added that the incident was a reminder for travellers to trust their instincts and look out for each other.The video sparked strong reactions online. One user wrote, “I’m really sorry you experienced this. Unfortunately, it’s not only foreign travellers – many Indian women also feel unsafe sometimes, especially in trains.”Another commented, “I live in India, and as an Indian woman, I don’t feel safe.”Some users also shared practical advice. One suggested using the Rail Madad mobile application to report issues during train journeys, saying complaints through the app can bring quick assistance.Disclaimer: This article is based on claims made in a viral social media video. The authenticity of the incident has not been independently verified. The views and reactions mentioned are those of social media users and reflect personal opinions.Thumb image: Instagram