Thiruvananthapuram:A man allegedly attempted suicide in the toilet of the Mumbai-bound Nethravathi Express at Kayamkulam today, triggering panic among travellers.
The incident came to light when the train, which originated from here, was held up at Kayamkulam station for some time this afternoon.
We suspect that Navas (24), hailing from Vellore in Tamil Nadu, attempted suicide. He received burn injuries and was rushed to Alappuzha Medical College Hospital. He is undergoing treatment in police custody, Kayamkulam SHO D Rajeeshkumar told PTI.
Police suspect the man is mentally unstable.
The man, travelling in a general compartment, suddenly rushed to the toilet and set himself on fire. When smoke and smell started emanating from the toilet, other passengers opened the door and dragged him out, eyewitnesses said.
The general compartment was next to the engine and an air conditioned bogey, which were detached from it after the incident.
Congress leader Rajmohan Unnithan, travelling in the train, said it had reached Kayamkulam station when the incident occurred. All passengers in the adjacent compartments were asked to come out, he said.
The train resumed the journey around 2.00 PM.