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In a tragic incident, a tourist train parked near Madurai railway station became the site of a deadly fire. The blaze, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday, claimed the lives of ten people and left over 20 individuals injured. The bodies of the victims have been transferred to the Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai, and ongoing rescue efforts are underway to aid the injured.

Fire Ignites in Tragic Coffee-Making Attempt

Reports indicate that the fire ignited when a passenger attempted to light a gas stove for coffee-making inside the train. The explosion was triggered by a gas cylinder blast. According to Madurai District Collector MS Sangeetha, the train coach had pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh on board at the time of the incident. Tragically, nine bodies have been recovered so far.

Illegal Gas Cylinder Usage Blamed for the Blaze

Southern Railway's Chief Public Relations Officer, B. Guganesan, released a statement attributing the fire to the illegal presence of a gas cylinder. The coach, initially attached to the Punalur-Madurai Express, had been detached after arriving at Madurai. The party coach had been carrying passengers who had unlawfully smuggled a gas cylinder onboard. This unauthorized cylinder led to the disastrous fire. Many passengers managed to exit the coach upon noticing the flames.

Investigation Amidst Signs of Cooking Attempt

As the investigation into the incident continues, evidence at the scene points to attempts at cooking inside the coach. Among the items scattered around the accident site were a gas cylinder and a bag of potatoes, suggesting that passengers had been cooking food. The tragedy underscores the risks associated with unsafe practices and unauthorized equipment on trains, highlighting the importance of safety measures and adherence to regulations.