New Delhi: The official death toll in a massive fire that broke out in a train coach in Madurai has been put at 10, while several other passengers have been seriously injured in the incident. The Chief Public Relations Officer of Southern Railway informed through an official statement that a statutory inquiry into the Madurai train coach fire incident will be conducted on Sunday under Southern Circle Railway Safety Commissioner B.Guganesan.
New Delhi: The official death toll in a massive fire that broke out in a train coach in Madurai has been put at 10, while several other passengers have been seriously injured in the incident. The Chief Public Relations Officer of Southern Railway informed through an official statement that a statutory inquiry into the Madurai train coach fire incident will be conducted on Sunday under Southern Circle Railway Safety Commissioner B.Guganesan.
A fire broke out inside a ‘private party coach’ belonging to the Punalur-Madurai Express parked on the lane near Madurai railway station on Saturday morning. On Sunday, the official statement of CPRO, Southern Railway read,“AM Chowdhary, Commissioner of Railway Safety, Southern Circle, Bengaluru, will hold a Statutory Inquiry into the incident of Fire at about 05.15 hrs on 26th August 2023 involving IRCTC Tourist Coach (NE Railway – NI – CN 113210) Stabled in Madurai Railway Station Yard.”
On Sunday, The inquiry will begin at 9.30 am in the conference room of the DRM in the Divisional Railway Manager’s office premises, Madurai, to ascertain the exact cause of the accident. Southern Railway has also urged the public to share information or evidence regarding the incident with the concerned authorities.
The official statement read, “Any Member of the Public having knowledge relating to the incident and matter connected therewith and desiring to give evidence may do so at the DRM’s Conference Hall, Divisional Railway Manager’s Office Complex, Madurai, on 27th August 2023 or write to the Commissioner of Railway Safety, Southern Circle, 2.”
Earlier, on Saturday, Southern Railway said the culprits involved in the Madurai Train fire incident will face the ‘full force of the law’.Addressing reporters, the general manager of Southern Railway, RN Singh, said, “An FIR has been filed by the GRP under relevant IPC sections and those of the Railway Act. Those responsible will face the full force of the law.”
Southern Railway also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh to the kin of those who lost their lives in the Madurai coach fire incident. It also announced Rs 2 lakh each for the grievously injured passengers and Rs 50,000 for those with minor injuries.
