Tatanagar-Ernakulam Express Train Catches Fire In Andhra Pradesh, 1 Killed
A suspected brake seizure in the B1 AC coach led to flames rapidly spreading to the adjacent M2 AC coach near the pantry car.
A fire broke out on the Tata–Ernakulam Express shortly after midnight on Sunday near Elamanchili, killing one passenger and triggering panic among those on board.
According to officials, the train, which had departed from Anakapalli, caught fire when it reached the Narsingaballi area. A suspected brake seizure in the B1 AC coach led to flames rapidly spreading to the adjacent M2 AC coach near the pantry car. Alert loco pilots noticed the fire near a signal point and immediately halted the train at Elamanchili station.
Fire Engulfed Both Coaches
Before fire services could arrive, the blaze engulfed both coaches, forcing passengers to flee in panic as thick smoke filled the area. Firefighters from Anakapalli, Elamanchili and Nakkapalli rushed to the spot and battled the flames for several hours.
In the incident, a 70-year-old passenger, Chandrasekhar Sundar from Vijayawada, who was travelling in the B1 coach, was burnt to death. Nearly 2,000 passengers were stranded at the station in freezing cold conditions. All belongings in the two affected coaches were reduced to ashes. Senior railway officials reached the site, reviewed the situation and arranged ambulances.
At around 3.30 am, the damaged coaches were detached, remaining passengers were accommodated in other coaches, and the train was moved ahead. Three special RTC buses were arranged to transport affected passengers to Samarlakota, where new AC coaches were attached before the train resumed its onward journey to Ernakulam.
Train Services Disrupted
The incident caused major disruption to rail traffic on the Visakhapatnam–Vijayawada route. Several trains were halted at key stations, including Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli and Tuni, leading to delays of several hours for passengers. Railway authorities said restoration work is underway and a detailed inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the fire.
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