Madurai, Tamil Nadu
Introduction
In a devastating incident that unfolded at the heart of Madurai railway station, a fire erupted inside a parked tourist train, resulting in the loss of ten lives and leaving more than 20 individuals injured. The tragedy occurred in the early hours of Saturday, shocking the nation and drawing attention to the need for heightened safety measures on trains.
According to reports from the news agency PTI, the incident transpired when a passenger on the ill-fated train attempted to light a gas stove in order to prepare coffee. The resulting ignition led to a catastrophic fire that quickly engulfed the coach, leaving passengers trapped and scrambling for safety. The train, which was stationed on Bodi Lane near Madurai railway station, had pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh on board.
Madurai District Collector MS Sangeetha provided a grim account of the situation, stating, “Around 5:30 am today, there was fire in a coach halted here at Madurai railway station. When they lit the gas stove to make coffee, the gas cylinder blasted. As of now, we have retrieved nine bodies.” The injured were immediately rushed to the Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai for medical attention, while rescue operations continued at the scene.
Fire triggered due to illegal smuggled gas
Further investigation revealed that the fire had been triggered by the use of an illegally smuggled gas cylinder. B.Guganesan, Chief Public Relations Officer of the Southern Railway, explained that the private party coach had been attached to the train at Nagercoil Junction and was later detached upon its arrival at Madurai. It was during this time that passengers attempted to cook food, leading to the unauthorized use of a gas cylinder and the ensuing tragedy.
The aftermath of the accident scene told a somber tale, with scattered items including a cylinder and a bag of potatoes strewn across the area, a testament to the desperate attempts to prepare food before disaster struck. The Southern Railway expressed their condolences to the families of the victims and assured a thorough investigation into the incident to prevent such occurrences in the future.
Conclusion
This unfortunate incident sheds light on the pressing need for stringent safety regulations and passenger awareness regarding the potential hazards of carrying inflammable substances on trains. As the nation mourns the loss of lives, authorities are reminded of their responsibility to ensure the safety and security of railway passengers across the country.
