Madurai, August 26, 2023: A devastating fire engulfed a tourist train parked on Bodi Lane near the Madurai railway station in the early hours of Saturday, resulting in a tragic loss of 10 lives and leaving more than 20 individuals injured, as reported by the news agency PTI.
The bodies of the victims have been transferred to the Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai, with ongoing efforts to rescue survivors still underway.
The fire outbreak was triggered when a passenger attempted to use a gas stove for making coffee within the train compartment, as revealed by local authorities. According to Madurai District Collector MS Sangeetha, “When they lit the gas stove to make coffee, the gas cylinder blasted.”
B.Guganesan, Chief Public Relations Officer of Southern Railway, stated that the fire was a result of passengers in the private party coach unlawfully bringing a gas cylinder aboard. The coach was attached to the Punalur-Madurai Express at Nagercoil Junction on Friday and was subsequently detached upon arrival at Madurai.
“This is a private party coach that was attached at Nagercoil Junction yesterday (Aug 25) by train no. 16730 (Punalur-Madurai Exp). Party coach was detached and kept at Madurai Stabling line. The passengers in the private party coach have illegally smuggled a gas cylinder, and this has caused the fire,” the railway authority explained.
Amid the wreckage, scattered items including a gas cylinder and a bag of potatoes were found, indicating an attempt to prepare food within the compartment. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the importance of adhering to safety protocols and regulations to prevent such catastrophic accidents.
As the investigation continues into the tragic incident, authorities are working diligently to provide aid to the victims’ families and ascertain the circumstances leading to the fire.
