At least 9 people killed in India train fire caused by cup of tea

At least nine people were killed Saturday when a fire broke out in a train carriage that was parked in southern India after a passenger tried to make tea.

The carriage was detached from a train and parked at the Madurai railway station in Tamil Nadu state (south) when the fire broke out in the early hours of the morning.

"It was a single carriage that had been booked by a tourist company," said Madurai district spokesman, S.A.T.L. Palappathty, speaking to AFP. "One of them tried to make tea and that is what caused the fire."

"Nine people died, three of them women. Nine others were injured, but their injuries are not life-threatening," he added.

The identities of the victims have yet to be confirmed. Video footage showed flames billowing from the carriage windows. Some passengers managed to escape in time.

Local media reports said the passengers had illegally brought in a gas cylinder that exploded when they tried to use it.

In June, a collision between three trains killed around 300 people in Odisha state.