A fire broke out in a tourist train parked on Bodi Lane at Madurai railway station in the early hours of Saturday, killing ten persons and injuring more than 20, according to news agency PTI. According to the news, the bodies have been transferred to the Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai, and a rescue operation is ongoing.
The fire broke out when a passenger lit a gas stove to make coffee, police said.
“Around 5:30 a.m. today, a coach halted here at Madurai railway station caught fire.” There were pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh on board. The gas cylinder exploded when they turned on the gas stove to make coffee. “As of now, we have recovered nine bodies,” Madurai District Collector MS Sangeetha told PTI.
B.Guganesan, Chief Public Relations Officer, Southern Railway said in a statement that the passengers in the private party coach had illegally smuggled a gas cylinder which caused the fire. The official said that the coach was attached at Nagercoil Junction on Friday by Punalur -Madurai Express and was detached after arriving at Madurai.
“This is a private party coach that was attached at Nagercoil Junction yesterday (Aug 25) by train no. 16730 (Punalur-Madurai Exp).” The party coach was separated and kept at the Madurai Stabling Line. The people in the private party carriage illegally sneaked a gas cylinder, which ignited the fire. When the fire was discovered, many passengers exited the bus. Some passengers had disembarked at the platform itself, according to the announcement.
Among the scattered items that lay on the accident spot included a cylinder and a bag of potatoes, indicating there were attempts to cook food.
Ratnavali