Visakhapatnam: One person lost his life after two coaches of the Tatanagar–Ernakulam Express caught fire in Andhra Pradesh in the early hours of Monday, railway authorities confirmed. The incident occurred near Yalamanchili while the train was en route, triggering panic among passengers onboard.
The deceased has been identified as Chandrasekhar Sundaram. His body was found inside the B1 coach, which was one of the two compartments affected by the fire. The other coach damaged in the incident was the M2 coach. The train involved in the incident was Train No. 18189, operated by the South Central Railway.
According to officials, the fire broke out at around 12.45 am when passengers were inside the train. The sudden blaze led to an emergency response from railway staff, who acted swiftly to control the situation and ensure the safety of other travelers.
The South Central Railway stated that preliminary investigations indicate the fire originated in the linen storage area of the coach. Officials clarified that there was no initial evidence to suggest that the blaze was caused by an electrical fault. Further examination is expected to confirm the exact cause.
As soon as the fire was detected, railway personnel initiated safety measures to prevent the flames from spreading to other parts of the train. The affected B1 and M2 coaches were promptly detached from the rest of the train. This action helped contain the fire and avoid further damage or casualties.
Passengers traveling in other coaches were safely shifted to secure locations. Railway officials ensured that evacuation procedures were carried out in an orderly manner to avoid panic or injuries. No other casualties were reported in the incident.
Eyewitness accounts indicated that smoke was noticed first, followed by visible flames in one of the coaches. Railway staff and emergency responders worked together to manage the situation and assist passengers during the evacuation process.
The body of Chandrasekhar Sundaram was later recovered from the B1 coach after the fire was brought under control. Authorities have not released further details regarding how he was trapped inside the coach at the time of the incident.
Railway officials said that the incident caused disruption to train services in the area for a brief period while safety checks and removal of the damaged coaches were carried out. Arrangements were made to continue the journey after ensuring that the remaining coaches were safe for travel.
The South Central Railway reiterated that passenger safety remains a priority and said standard operating procedures were followed during the emergency. Officials also stated that a detailed inquiry will be conducted to establish the circumstances that led to the fire.
Incidents involving fire on trains are treated with utmost seriousness, and railway authorities said all necessary steps will be taken based on the findings of the investigation. The damaged coaches will be examined thoroughly to assess the extent of the damage and determine preventive measures.
The incident near Yalamanchili highlights the importance of rapid response and safety protocols during emergencies on passenger trains. While the swift action of railway staff helped prevent further loss of life, the death of a passenger has raised concerns that will be addressed during the inquiry process.
Further updates are expected once the investigation into the cause of the fire is completed and official reports are finalized.
