A fire in two AC coaches of the Tatanagar–Ernakulam Express in Andhra Pradesh’s Anakapalli district killed one elderly passenger and forced the evacuation of hundreds.
Representative image. (IANS)
One person was killed after a fire broke out in two air-conditioned coaches of the Tatanagar–Ernakulam Express in Andhra Pradesh’s Anakapalli district in the early hours of Monday, triggering panic among passengers and forcing a large-scale evacuation.
The incident occurred around 1.30 am after the train crossed Duvvada. Flames were first reported in the B1 and M2 AC coaches, located next to the pantry car, police and railway officials said.
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Anakapalli Superintendent of Police Tuhin Sinha confirmed that one passenger lost his life in the fire. Railway authorities said one of the coaches was completely engulfed in flames.
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According to preliminary information, the train (No. 18189), travelling from Tatanagar to Ernakulam via Visakhapatnam, developed a fire shortly after passing Duvvada. Loco pilots noticed flames near a railway point near Yelamanchili and promptly stopped the train.
The quick action allowed railway staff to evacuate passengers swiftly. However, before fire services could reach the spot, the blaze spread rapidly and gutted both affected coaches.
As thick smoke filled the compartments, passengers rushed out onto the platforms in panic, many unsure of what had triggered the fire.
Railway officials later confirmed that all passengers were evacuated safely, except for a 70-year-old man who was trapped inside the burning coach.
The deceased was identified as Vijayawada resident Chandrasekhar Sundar. He was reportedly inside the B1 AC coach and passed away because of serious burn injuries.
Officials said ambulances were stationed at the site as a precaution, while senior railway officers reached the station to monitor relief and assess the damage.
Railway sources indicated that sparks and flames were noticed near Narsingaballi after the train departed Anakapalli, allegedly due to overheating of the brakes in the B1 AC coach.
Firefighting teams from Anakapalli, Elamanchili and Nakkapalli worked for several hours to bring the blaze under control. Despite their efforts, all passenger belongings inside the two coaches were completely destroyed.
The train eventually reached Anakapalli nearly four hours behind schedule, while hundreds of passengers were left waiting at the station in cold night conditions as officials managed the aftermath.
Further details are awaited.
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