Ernakulam Express Fire: Massive fire breaks out in Tatanagar-Ernakulam Express, two coaches burnt to ashes, one passenger dead

A major train accident occurred in the early hours of Monday in Anakapalle district of Andhra Pradesh. Two coaches of the Tatanagar-Ernakulam Express going from Tatanagar to Ernakulam suddenly caught fire, causing chaos in the train. The death of an elderly passenger has been confirmed in this accident, while hundreds of passengers were evacuated safely in time.

This incident is being reported around 12:45 pm on Sunday night. According to railway officials, when the train reached Yelamanchili station in Anakapalle district, the loco pilot saw flames rising from a coach. Immediately showing alertness, the train was stopped near Elamanchili station and the control room was informed.

Two coaches caught fire

Preliminary investigation revealed that the fire broke out first in the B1 coach. Within some time the fire spread to the nearby M2 coach. Seeing the situation becoming serious, the railway employees separated the affected coaches from the rest of the train, so that the fire does not reach further coaches. However, by then both B1 and M2 coaches were completely burnt to ashes. Some other nearby coaches were also damaged.

passengers evacuated safely

As soon as the fire broke out, an atmosphere of fear was created among the passengers present in the train. People started running here and there to save their lives. Railway staff and security personnel immediately took charge and started taking the passengers out of the train rapidly. The fire department team also reached the spot and started the work of extinguishing the fire.

According to officials, at the time of the incident, there were 82 passengers in B1 coach and 76 passengers in M2 coach. Most of the passengers were taken out safely, due to which a major accident could be avoided. Police said that after extinguishing the fire, a dead body was recovered during the search of B1 coach. The deceased has been identified as 70-year-old Chandrashekhar Sundaram.

The train was sent ahead

Railway officials informed that after separating the burnt coaches, the train was sent to Ernakulam. The process of sending the affected passengers to their destination under alternative arrangements has been started.

investigation into the cause of the fire

The reasons for the accident have not been clearly known yet. Two forensic teams of Railways and Police have reached the spot and are investigating the cause of the fire. Officials say that the real cause of the fire will be revealed only after the investigation report comes.

The railway administration has expressed grief over this incident and said that the safety of passengers is their priority. Besides, assurance has also been given to provide all possible assistance to the family of the deceased.