At least 10 people have died and more than 20 are injured in a massive fire that broke out inside a stationary train compartment in Madurai railway station early this morning.
The Southern Railway said that an “illegal gas cylinder” on board led to the fire. The passengers of the “private party coach” had arrived from Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh.
Upon arriving at the station to inquire, Madurai district collector MS Sangeetha reported that 10 people were killed in the railway compartment fire tragedy. A hospital has received 20 injured patients for treatment.
“10 persons reported dead,” in the fire, a Southern Railway release said.
The burnt bodies were removed from the compartment by police, fire, and rescue team members in addition to railroad employees who assisted in putting out the fire.
According to a Southern Railway release, the fire started at 5:15 this morning and was extinguished by 7:15 by the time firefighters arrived on the scene.
“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….smuggled gas cylinder and this has caused the fire,” the release said.
