Train Fire in Madurai Claims 9 Lives
Madurai, Tamil Nadu – A tragic incident occurred on the morning of the 17th when a train carrying spiritual tourists from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh caught fire in Madurai Bodi Line area, resulting in the death of 9 people and injuring several others.
The train, which was carrying devotees who had just completed their darshan at Padmanabhaswamy temple in Nagercoil, was just 1 km away from Madurai railway station when the fire broke out. It quickly spread to adjacent compartments, causing panic among the passengers.
According to initial reports, there were around 90 people in the last compartment of the train when the fire started. Thankfully, more than 60 of them managed to escape by jumping down from the train after learning about the fire.
Emergency services were called to the scene, and fire engines arrived around 5.45 am to battle the flames. It took nearly two hours for the firefighters to completely extinguish the fire.
Unfortunately, the death toll continued to rise as more information about the incident emerged. It was originally reported that 2 people had died, but that number increased to 5 and eventually reached 9. Many of the victims were suffocated by the fire and the subsequent smoke.
All of the injured were rushed to Madurai Government Hospital for treatment. Shockingly, it was revealed that those who died in the fire accident had traveled all the way from Uttar Pradesh state to have darshan at the temple.
Details about the cause of the fire have also emerged, with investigators finding that a gas cylinder explosion was responsible for the devastating incident. Some of the devotees in the train coach had attempted to cook using the cylinder, which led to the explosion and subsequent fire.
The area surrounding the train compartment was described as resembling a war zone, with relatives of the deceased crying for their loved ones. Railway officials, medical teams, security forces, and revenue officials all visited the site to assess the situation and offer support.
Madurai Collector Sangeetha personally visited the scene to investigate the incident. Plans are underway to transport the affected train coach separately, and efforts are ongoing to recover the bodies of the victims.
In light of this tragedy, the authorities have highlighted the need for stricter regulations regarding the transportation of flammable goods on trains. The passing of another train during the fire has raised concerns about the safety protocols in place.
Kausal Gosal, Additional Manager of Southern Railway, along with Railway I.G. Santhosh Chandran, have also arrived at the incident site to assess the situation and provide assistance.
As the investigation continues, authorities are working diligently to ensure the safety of passengers and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.