3 dead after unidentified man still at large sets co-passenger on fire inside Kerala train

Railway police is yet to identify a man who allegedly set fire to a co-passenger onboard the Alappuzha-Kannur Executive Express train last night, leading to the death of a woman, an infant, and a mid-aged man, and injuries to nine others.

While a case of murder has been lodged against the suspect, a senior police official said CCTV visuals of the accused have been recovered and an investigation is ongoing. The three people found dead on the tracks near the Elathur railway station in Kozhikode are believed to have fallen off the train or attempted to get down after seeing the blaze.

Luggage believed to be that of the suspect has been recovered from the train and it contained a bottle of petrol, a Railway police officer informed, adding “there were no other clues in the bag.” Nevertheless, he did not connect the incident to an act of terror.

The incident occurred late Sunday around 9:45 pm when the train was about to cross the Korapuzha bridge between Kozhikode and Kannur stretch. Another railway police officer elaborated on the severity of injuries sustained by some people in the fire, saying some suffered 50% burns but currently their health condition is stable.

The bodies found on the tracks did not have any burn injuries, the officer further mentioned. The suspect escaped soon after the blaze, while the injured passengers were rushed to hospitals after the emergency chain was pulled. The train soon continued on its route after a couple of compartments were sealed.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan called the incident shocking, saying a special investigation team would be formed to probe the fire.

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