9 from UP killed as gas cylinder triggers fire in stationary train coach in Madurai

The firefighters rushed to the spot and doused the flames by 7.15 am, they said.

An initial probe by the Southern Railway reveals that some members of the party in the private party coach had used the “illegally smuggled cooking gas cylinder unauthorisedly for preparing tea or snacks, which caused the fire in the parked coach.” Vijay Kumar, Deputy Director, the Fire and Rescue Services Department, said they received the fire call at 5.45 am and as the train was parked in an area surrounded by high compound walls, they faced difficulties in reaching the coach initially.

Tamil Nadu Minister for Commercial Taxes P Moorthy, who represents Madurai East, told reporters that the passengers who were on a religious tour from Lucknow had locked the party coach from inside. “The Chief Minister has directed us to visit the spot and take necessary action to help the passengers,” he said.

According to the Railway Divisional Manager’s office, what made the situation worse was the locked doors, probably except one door. “Additional padlocks had trapped passengers inside. The passengers had to break open the locks themselves. By that time, unfortunately, some had already suffered severe burns,” said an official. The Railways stated that no other coaches except the tourist party coach were damaged in the fire and that there has been no disruption of train services operated from and to Madurai junction.

We regret to inform that a fire accident was reported in a private party tourist coach in Madurai yard at 5.15 hrs of today (26th Aug). The fire was put off at 7.15 hrs and Senior railway officials have reached the site pic.twitter.com/cxkoU7i7ry

— Southern Railway (@GMSRailway) August 26, 2023

According to sources in Railways and Madurai police, eight of the nine victims have been identified and the identity of one remains uncertain. The bodies have been taken to the Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH), and the injured are receiving treatment at the GRH and the Railway Hospital.

Minister Moorthi said that the tragic episode brings to the fore concerns over the laxity in adhering to safety norms, particularly in privately booked coaches. “This incident raises questions about the efficacy of checks on carrying inflammable materials, especially in such private coaches which can be booked online through the IRCTC portal,” he said.

The passengers were scheduled to return to Chennai on Sunday by Kollam – Chennai Egmore Ananthapuri Express and from there they were to board a connection train to Lucknow from Chennai.

“This is a private party coach that was attached at Nagercoil Junction on Friday by Punalur – Madurai Express, which arrived at Madurai at 3.47am. Party coach was detached and kept at the Madurai Stabling line. The passengers in the private party coach have illegally smuggled gas cylinder and this has caused the fire. Many passengers had gotten out of the coach on noticing fire. Some passengers had got down at the platform itself…,” said an official statement from the Southern Railway.

Even though any individual can book a party coach using the IRCTC portal, they were not allowed to carry inflammable material like gas cylinders on board as the coach is to be used only for transportation purposes.

Deeply saddened by the tragic incident near Madurai Railway junction where nine precious lives were lost in a train fire accident. My heartfelt condolences go out to the families of the deceased. To support the affected families, an ex-gratia of 3 lakh INR will be provided.

I…

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) August 26, 2023

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin condoled the deaths and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 3 lakh for the families of the deceased, in addition to Rs 10 lakh that the Railways had already declared. “I have instructed the Madurai Collector to ensure special medical care for the injured,” said CM Stalin.

Carrying inflammable and explosive articles on trains is a punishable offence under Sections 67, 154, 164 and 165 of The Railways Act 1989, with a punishment of up to 3 years in jail or a fine up to Rs 1000 or both, besides being liable for the loss, injury or damage caused.

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