Visakhapatnam, Dec 29 : One passenger was killed after two coaches of the Tatanagar–Ernakulam express caught fire near Yalamanchili railway station in Andhra Pradesh’s Anakapalli district in the early hours of Monday, police said.
The fire broke out around 12.45 am when the train was travelling from Tatanagar to Ernakulam. The loco pilot noticed flames and immediately halted the train at Yalamanchili station, officials said.
The affected coaches, B1 and B2, were carrying a total of 158 passengers—82 in one coach and 76 in the other—at the time of the incident. “There were 82 passengers in one coach and 76 in another when the train caught fire. Unfortunately, a dead body was found in the B1 coach,” a police official told reporters.
The deceased was identified as Chandrsekhar Sundaram, aged around 70 years. Police said the B1 and B2 coaches were completely gutted in the blaze.
Railway staff swiftly detached the damaged coaches from the train, after which it proceeded towards Ernakulam. All passengers from the affected coaches were safely evacuated, and arrangements were made to send them to their respective destinations. “All 82 passengers in one coach and 76 in the other were safely evacuated,” Superintendent of Police Tuhin Sinha said.
Four fire tenders were rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control. Police said two forensic teams have been deployed to ascertain the exact cause of the fire, while railway authorities have also launched an investigation.
Andhra Pradesh Home Minister V Anita enquired about the incident and directed officials to take immediate and appropriate measures, authorities said.
