A passenger died and several were injured after a fire broke out in an AC coach of the Tata Nagar-Ernakulam Express in Andhra Pradesh. The incident occurred near Visakhapatnam, and fire crews have extinguished the blaze.
Train Fire: A tragic train accident in Andhra Pradesh has shaken passengers and railway authorities. A sudden fire erupted in an AC coach of the Tata Nagar-Ernakulam Express (Tatanagar–Ernakulam Express) near Yalamanchili in Visakhapatnam district. One passenger died in the accident, while several others were injured. A total of 158 passengers were travelling in the two AC coaches at the time of the incident. Information about the fire was received around 12:45 AM, after which chaos ensued in the area.
Incident near Yalamanchili
The accident occurred in the Yalamanchili railway section, approximately 66 kilometers from Visakhapatnam. As the train was passing through the area, smoke suddenly began to emanate from the AC coach. Within moments, the fire intensified. Panic spread among the passengers on board when they saw the smoke and flames. People began to run around in an attempt to save their lives. The situation was made even more serious due to the time of night.
Two AC coaches engulfed in flames
According to local officials, two AC coaches of the train were engulfed in flames. One coach had 82 passengers, while the other had 76. The fire spread primarily in coach B1 (B1 AC Coach). The body of one passenger was recovered from this coach. The deceased has been identified as Chandrasekhar Sundaram. A sense of fear prevailed among the passengers after the incident.
Panic among passengers
The train was thrown into chaos as the fire broke out. Many passengers were asleep and did not understand what was happening. As the smell of smoke spread, people began to shout. Some passengers tried to escape through the emergency windows and doors. Passengers said the fire spread very quickly, leaving them no time to retrieve their belongings.
Fire Brigade takes charge
Upon receiving information about the fire, the railway and local administration were put on alert. A team from the Fire Brigade immediately arrived at the scene. After hours of strenuous effort, the fire was brought under control. During this time, the train was stopped for safety reasons and passengers were moved to a safe location. Firefighters said the fire was intense, but a major accident was averted thanks to timely efforts.
Damaged coaches detached from the train
After the fire was extinguished, the two damaged AC coaches were detached from the train. Railway officials said it was necessary to remove these coaches from the main train for safety reasons. The remaining coaches were then gradually dispatched onward. The accident disrupted train services for some time, resulting in other trains being stopped or diverted.
Identification of the deceased and administration’s response
The passenger who lost his life in the accident has been identified as Chandrasekhar Sundaram. The administration has informed the family of the deceased. The process of providing compensation (Compensation) is also being initiated by the railway. Officials have said that the affected family will be provided with all possible assistance as per railway rules. Senior railway officials have expressed grief over the incident and ordered an investigation.
Treatment of the injured continues
Some passengers were also injured in the flames and smoke. Some experienced difficulty breathing, while others suffered minor burns and injuries. All the injured have been admitted to a nearby hospital. Doctors say that the condition of most of the passengers is stable and they have been kept under observation after receiving first aid.
Suspense over the cause of the fire
The cause of the fire is currently unknown. The railway and forensic team (Forensic Team) are on the scene investigating. A short circuit (Short Circuit) is suspected initially, but this has not been officially confirmed. The exact cause – whether due to a technical malfunction or another reason – will become clear only after the investigation is completed.
