A disturbing incident unfolded at Kannur railway station during the night of Wednesday and Thursday, as a fire engulfed a coach of the Alappuzha-Kannur Executive Express train. Railway officials have registered a case with the Government Railway Police (GRP) and suspect foul play. A forensic team has been dispatched to investigate the incident, which resulted in the complete destruction of the coach.

According to a statement from the railways, the fire was reported at 1:25 am on Thursday while the Alappuzha-Kannur Executive Express train (16307) was stationary at Kannur station. Prompt action was taken by three fire department teams to extinguish the flames, but unfortunately, the coach suffered irreparable damage. The authorities are treating this as a case of arson based on a complaint filed by the on-duty Station Master.

Fire Break Out in Coach of Executive Express Train at Kannur Railway Station:

Fire Breaks Out In A Train Coach in Kannur Railway Station, No Causalities reported #trainfire pic.twitter.com/97nmJIobW1

— News18 (@CNNnews18) June 1, 2023

This is not the first time that the Alappuzha-Kannur Executive Express has been involved in a fire incident. On April 2, a similar blaze erupted in the train near Elathur in Kozhikode, when a man identified as Shahrukh Saifi set fellow passengers ablaze by using flammable fuel. Tragically, three individuals lost their lives, and nine others sustained burn injuries during that incident. Saifi was subsequently apprehended by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of the Maharashtra police and Central Intelligence agencies.

The recent fire has once again raised concerns about passenger safety and the need for enhanced security measures on trains. The railway authorities are working diligently to determine the cause of the fire and ensure that those responsible are held accountable for their actions.