Kerala:SIT to probe train fire incident that claimed 3 lives

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday said, a special investigation team of the Kerala Police will probe the deaths of three people after a man set co-passengers on fire inside a moving train in Kozhikode. Eight other people on board the Alappuzha-Kannur Executive Express train sustained burn injuries in the attack. However, the discovery of a suspicious bag has spurred the police to investigate a possible “terror angle” in the matter. Kerala Police chief Anil Kant said the suspect is yet to be identified and a thorough probe is underway. KPCC president and MP from Kannur writes to Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw seeking his intervention into the matter and asking to give compensation for the victims.

KPCC president and MP from Kannur writes to Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw seeking his intervention into the matter and asking to give compensation for the victims who were set ablaze on a train including those who died in the incident. pic.twitter.com/27yAiU3b5X

— ANI (@ANI) April 3, 2023

A case of murder has been lodged against the accused, police said. The incident occurred around 9.45 pm on Sunday, when the train reached the Korapuzha railway bridge after crossing Kozhikode city. The suspect managed to escape when the train slowed down after passengers pulled the emergency chain. The fire was quickly doused by the other passengers, who alerted the Railway Protection Force. Meanwhile, five among the nine persons, who sustained severe burn injuries are currently in ICU. The attack has claimed the lives of Mattannur native Noufik, Palottupalli native Rahmath, and her two-year-old niece Sahara.