Fire in Madurai-Punalur Express, 9 killed, 20 injured, passengers were carrying cylinders illegally

A terrible incident unfolded near Madurai Railway Station as a fire broke out inside a train coach, leading to the loss of nine lives and leaving 20 others injured. 

The coach that caught fire

The mishap occurred in a tourist coach of a train that was traveling from Lucknow to Rameswaram. The railway officials have offered their condolences and announced compensation of ₹10 lakh for the families of each victim.

Illegal Gas Cylinders :

The ill-fated tourist coach began its journey on August 17 from Lucknow, headed towards Chennai and then back. The fire broke out around 5:15 AM when the train was halted at Madurai Yard Junction. Initial reports indicate that some passengers had illegally carried gas cylinders into the coach.

Helpline Numbers :

Helpline numbers have been issued by the Railways regarding the Madurai Junction fire. Which are- 9360552608 and 8015681915.

Video of fire Surfaced :

Distressing videos showing the coach in flames have been circulating, illustrating the severity of the situation. Swift action from the fire department helped control the fire, but the coach suffered significant damage.

#BreakingNews
Fire in Madurai-Punalur Express, 9 killed, 20 injured,
passengers were carrying cylinders illegally in coach.
The fire broke out around 5:15 AM when the train was halted at Madurai Yard Junction.#TrainAccident#WATCH#BharatRising pic.twitter.com/e8IPsFUxfT

— BharatRising (@_bharatrising) August 26, 2023

Incident happened in Private Coach :

The unfortunate event occurred in a private coach, part of a tour with 65 passengers from Lucknow. The train, numbered 16730 (Madurai-Punalur Express), arrived in Madurai at 3:47 AM. Passengers in the private coach engaged in unauthorized cooking using an illegal gas cylinder, which triggered the fire.

It is crucial to follow safety rules while traveling by train. Passengers must avoid carrying flammable items and adhere to guidelines issued by railway authorities. The incident serves as a reminder to be cautious and responsible during train journeys, putting safety first.

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