Rescue operation is undergoing...
In a tourist train parked on Bodi Lane fire broke out ten people were killed and more than 20 were injured near Madurai railway station on Saturday. Bodies have been shifted to the Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai and a rescue operation is undergoing, as per the reports.
When a passenger lit a gas stove to make coffee the fire broke out, police said.
“Around 5:30 am today, there was a fire in a coach halted here at Madurai railway station. There were pilgrims traveling from Uttar Pradesh in it. When they lit the gas stove to make coffee, the gas cylinder blasted. As of now, we have retrieved nine bodies,” Madurai District Collector MS Sangeetha said.
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 detached and kept at the Madurai Stabling line.
The passengers in the private party coach had illegally smuggled gas cylinders and this has caused the fire. Many passengers got out of the coach after noticing the fire. Some passengers had got down at the platform itself," the release said.
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.
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