In the early hours of Thursday, a coach of the Alappuzha-Kannur Executive Express train caught fire at the Kannur railway station, leading to heightened concerns about safety and possible sabotage. One person has been taken into custody by the police in connection with the incident, which comes just two months after a similar tragic event in which three individuals, including a toddler, lost their lives.
The blaze was discovered by station staff around 1:30 AM, who promptly alerted the Kannur Fire and Rescue Station. Four fire units were dispatched to the scene, and after over an hour of relentless efforts, the fire was successfully contained at approximately 3:15 AM. The affected coach was completely engulfed in flames, with thick plumes of smoke billowing out of the windows, as captured in television footage.
Fortunately, no passengers were on board the train at the time of the incident, as it was stationary on a track located 20 to 30 metres away from the platform. This resulted in no injuries or casualties. Authorities are now investigating the cause of the fire, including the possibility of sabotage, and central agencies such as the Intelligence Bureau and the National Investigation Agency have joined the probe.
The previous train arson incident, which occurred on the same Alappuzha-Kannur Executive Express train, has raised speculation about a potential connection. In that tragic event, a man named Shahrukh Saifi set fire to his co-passengers, resulting in three deaths. Given the similarities, authorities are exploring the possibility of a planned conspiracy. The opposition Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have seized upon the incident to criticise the ruling Left government in Kerala. V D Satheesan, the Leader of Opposition in the state assembly, expressed concern over the government’s handling of such matters and demanded a thorough investigation to uncover the reasons behind these recurring incidents. Satheesan also criticised the police for their alleged lack of seriousness in addressing these cases.