The death toll after panicked passengers jumped off a running train, due to an engine fire, in Wandurawa last night has risen to three, officials said today.
The engine of the Kandy-bound train from Matara train had caught fire last night causing several passengers to panic and jump off the train.
Four of these passengers were hit by another oncoming express train, traveling from Killinochchi to Colombo, on the opposite rail track.
One of them died on the spot while the others were rushed to the Wathupitiwala Hospital for treatment. However, two of them had succumbed to injuries shortly after, police said.
A married couple from Warakapola are said to be among the deceased train passengers. The other victim is a 28-year-old youth from Kandy.
The fire had reportedly erupted while the train was in Wandurawa, between Pallewela and Veyangoda railway stations.
