At least nine people were killed and 20 others were injured following a fire at a train compartment at Madurai railway station in southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Indian Railway said on Saturday.

The tragedy took place when the fire broke out early morning inside a stationary train following explosion of a gas cylinder illegally carried in the compartment, the Press Trust of India said quoting the Southern Railway of India.

The pilgrims belonging to Uttar Pradesh were heading to Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu for pilgrimage when the accident happened, it added.

Many people in the compartment escaped after breaking a locked door, it said.

District Collector of Madurai M S Sangeetha said after visiting the spot that nine people were killed and 20 others were admitted to a hospital for treatment after sustaining injuries.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed condolences and announced solatium to the families of the Madurai train accident victims.

Source: Kuwait News Agency