One passenger died after a fire broke out in two coaches of the Tatanagar-Ernakulam Express in Anakapalli district of Andhra Pradesh early Monday, railway officials said.
The incident happened around 1 a.m. near Elamanchili railway station when the loco pilot saw flames in one of the coaches and quickly stopped the train. Most passengers evacuated, but a body later found in a burnt coach.
Fire erupts in Tatanagar-Ernakulam Express, Kills passenger
Officials reported that the fire started in the B1 coach and spread to the B2 coach. To contain the situation, the affected coaches and the nearby M1 coach quickly detached from the rest of the train, which prevented the fire from spreading further. Both fire-damaged coaches completely destroyed.
An official mentioned that there were 82 passengers in one affected coach and 76 in the other at the time of the fire. “Sadly, a dead body found in the B1 coach,” the official said. The victim identified as Chandrasekhar Sundaram.
1 killed, others passengers safe
The Tatanagar-Ernakulam Express was traveling from Tatanagar in the Churu district of Rajasthan to Ernakulam in Kerala when the fire was erupts. In the midst of fear and confusion, railway officials confirmed that all other passengers are safe.
Officials reported that the train left after detaching the two damaged coaches, and alternative arrangements made for the remaining passengers. Authorities have started an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.
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