Doors Locked, People Stuck Inside: Survivors Of Madurai Train Fire Speak Out

A fire broke out in a compartment of a stationed train at Madurai railway station on Saturday, killing 10 people and injuring 20 others. The fire started after a gas cylinder that had been smuggled into the train by the passengers burst while they were attempting to make coffee.

Swift action from district authorities, police, and rescue teams resulted in the successful evacuation of 55 passengers from the compartment. Faced with the peril of the fire, passengers reportedly fled for safety as soon as they became aware of the situation.

Madurai District Collector MS Sangeetha provided insight into the accident's circumstances, stating to ANI, "Early this morning, around 5:30 am, a fire incident occurred within a halted coach at Madurai railway station... The passengers were pilgrims on a journey from Uttar Pradesh."

She elaborated, "While attempting to prepare coffee and ignite the gas stove, a cylinder blast occurred. Among the 55 individuals rescued, we have thus far recovered nine bodies... The rescue operation is actively ongoing."

Surviving passengers recounted their escape from the calamity, sharing how they reacted swiftly, breaking open the train door to secure their lives.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Rekha, one of the passengers who escaped with injuries said, "I was lying on the middle seat and heard about fire...All of us ran in no time and reached the window but it was locked. Then we somehow opened it. Those who were at the back ran and the ones who were sitting at the front got stuck."

Another passenger shared that they managed to locate a pair of pliers, which they used to force open the door, allowing them to escape the spreading fire. Faced with the urgency of the situation, passengers were compelled to swiftly leave behind their possessions on the train.

Ashok Kumar, one of the passengers, recounted the ordeal, saying, "We were in a state of slumber when the fire abruptly erupted. The doors were sealed on all sides, and the windows were shut. We struggled to find the keys, but eventually, we discovered a pair of pliers that enabled us to break the door."

"Some among us were able to evacuate, but others remained trapped. We had to leave our baggage and belongings behind in the compartment," he added.