Yes, the comment struck me immediately as off because in typical conversation involving real people, tragedy usually implies the person is blameless. Now that

Yes, the comment struck me immediately as off because in typical conversation involving real people, tragedy usually implies the person is blameless. Now that I think of it though, even in this other use implying a flaw, you are supposed to relate to and sympathize with the flawed character. In this view it seems harsh and inhuman to complain that every calamity might be seen as tragic. A mature person can often sympathize with human suffering even if the sufferer did something "bad" to get there. We shouldn't be 100% in punishment mode or gloating at comeuppance. Forgiveness is a thing. Sympathy for imperfect people is also a thing.