New Delhi: A Portuguese travel influencer has shared a disturbing experience from her train journey in India, saying she felt increasingly uncomfortable after a group of men in her compartment allegedly stared at her persistently and later followed her toward the train's restroom.
The traveller, identified as Ines Faria, posted about the incident on Instagram while documenting her travels across India. In her post, she described how the situation unfolded during a journey in a three-tier air-conditioned (3AC) compartment, a class she said she usually prefers while travelling in the country.
According to Faria, the journey initially appeared normal and uneventful.
She said she and a friend had boarded the train and settled into their 3AC compartment, which she described as generally safe and comfortable for travellers.
However, she soon began to feel uneasy when a group of men seated across from them started watching them closely.
In her Instagram caption, she wrote that the men repeatedly stared at them, changed seats and continued observing them throughout the journey.
'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,' she wrote.
She added that the behaviour made the situation increasingly uncomfortable.
Faria said the incident escalated when she decided to use the bathroom during the journey.
In an attempt to avoid walking past the group of men sitting near her seat, she chose to walk to a restroom located in another compartment.
However, shortly after she entered the restroom, one of the men reportedly followed her.
'About 30 seconds after I entered the bathroom, one of the boys followed me and tried to open the door,' she recalled in her post.
The situation raised concerns for her safety during the journey.
According to Faria, her friend noticed the man following her and immediately became alert.
Her friend reportedly stood outside the restroom until she came out, ensuring that she was safe.
After the incident, the two travellers reported the matter to the train's ticket officer.
Railway staff then intervened and addressed the situation.
According to Faria, the train authorities responded promptly and relocated them to another compartment.
'They moved us to another compartment in 2AC where we felt much safer,' she wrote.
She also expressed gratitude to the train staff for assisting them.
Despite the uncomfortable experience, Faria said she appreciated the swift response from the railway personnel.
She thanked the train staff for handling the situation and ensuring their safety during the remainder of the journey.
The incident highlights the role of onboard staff in addressing passenger complaints and maintaining safety during train travel.
Indian Railways has several mechanisms in place for passengers to report safety concerns, including direct contact with train staff and helpline services.
Faria also clarified that the incident did not represent her overall experience travelling in India.
She emphasised that most of her travels across the country had been positive.
'Most of my experiences traveling in India have been amazing,' she wrote in her post.
However, she added that the incident served as a reminder for travellers to remain alert and trust their instincts while travelling.
'Moments like this are a reminder to always trust your instincts and look out for each other while travelling,' she added.
In another video shared earlier on her social media account, Faria also documented a separate uncomfortable experience in Mumbai.
In that clip, she claimed that two men repeatedly followed her on the street asking for selfies despite her refusing.
The video showed her walking away while the men continued approaching her.
The footage highlighted the challenges some travellers may face while navigating crowded public spaces in major tourist destinations.
The influencer's posts have sparked discussions on social media about traveller safety, particularly for solo travellers and women.
Many users praised her for speaking openly about the incident while also acknowledging the positive aspects of her travel experiences in India.
Others pointed out that such incidents underline the importance of improving awareness about respectful behaviour toward tourists.
Authorities and travel experts often encourage travellers to report any uncomfortable situations to staff or law enforcement immediately.
The prompt response by railway staff in this case ensured that the travellers were able to continue their journey safely.
While India remains one of the most visited destinations in Asia, experiences shared by travellers also highlight the need for continued efforts to ensure safety and a welcoming environment for visitors.