A train transporting fuel from Chennai Port derailed and caught fire early Sunday near Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu, prompting a large-scale emergency response.
According to officials, the blaze erupted after the derailment, though railway police have launched an investigation to confirm the cause. No casualties have been reported so far.
Dramatic visuals captured dense plumes of smoke billowing from the burning compartments. Fire crews worked for several hours to contain the flames and detach the four affected wagons from the rest of the train to prevent further spread.
As a precaution, Southern Railway suspended all services on the Arakkonam line, severely affecting routes in and out of Chennai. Overhead power lines were also switched off.
“Train operations are temporarily halted due to the incident. Passengers should check for updated schedules,” Southern Railway announced on social media.
Southern Railway General Manager RN Singh stated that services would resume by 3:30 pm, although inbound trains could face delays of up to five hours.
Nearby residents were evacuated for safety, and authorities removed LPG cylinders from surrounding homes to prevent additional hazards as the fire raged.