Madurai, Tamil Nadu – In a devastating incident that unfolded on Saturday, a parked train coach turned into a fiery inferno claiming the lives of at least nine individuals in Madurai, a city situated in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning at the Madurai railway yard, where a detached train coach was stationed. This particular coach had been chartered by a private tourist operator for a special excursion. According to local authorities, the catastrophe was ignited when a passenger within the coach attempted to prepare tea, inadvertently triggering the outbreak of the blaze.
Sali Thalapathi, the spokesperson for the Madurai district, conveyed the details of the unfortunate occurrence, stating, “It was a single, stationary coach booked by a private tourist operator. Somebody tried to make tea and it caused the fire.” The flames rapidly consumed the coach, engulfing it in a wall of fire and smoke.
Among the victims of this horrific incident, three were identified as women. Additionally, nine others sustained injuries due to the fire; however, officials assured that their injuries are not life-threatening. The injured individuals were swiftly transported to nearby medical facilities for prompt treatment.
As of now, the process of identifying the deceased individuals is underway, although none of the bodies have been officially identified at this juncture.
The incident casts a spotlight on the critical importance of safety protocols and awareness regarding fire hazards, even in seemingly routine settings. The authorities are expected to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident to understand the series of events that led to this tragic loss of life.
The Madurai railway yard, usually a site of bustling activity, now stands as a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the urgency of precautionary measures to avert such disasters in the future.
