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Tatanagar-Ernakulam Express Fire: 1 Dead, Coaches Detached, Helplines Active

A fire broke out in two coaches of the Tatanagar-Ernakulam Express early Monday near Yelamanchili station in Andhra Pradesh. Railway staff acted swiftly, alerting the fire brigade and assisting passengers in deboarding the train. One passenger was found deceased in a damaged coach, while officials detached the affected coaches and are moving the train formation to Samalkot. The South Central Railway has established multiple helpline numbers and is coordinating with local authorities as an investigation into the cause begins.

Key Points: Tatanagar-Ernakulam Express Fire: Helpline Numbers & Updates

  • Fire in B1 & M2 coaches
  • One passenger found dead
  • Helpline numbers established
  • Coaches detached, train moved to Samalkot
2 min read

Tatanagar-Ernakulam Express fire: Railways opens helplines

A fire on the Tatanagar-Ernakulam Express in Andhra Pradesh led to one fatality. Railways have set up helplines and are arranging alternate travel for passengers.

"Railway staff swiftly acted and immediately informed the Fire Brigade. - South Central Railway"

Visakhapatnam, Dec 29

Railways have set up helpline numbers to provide assistance and train running information following the fire in the Tatanagar-Ernakulam Express at Andhra Pradesh's Yelamanchili early on Monday.

South Central Railway (SCR) set up the following helpline numbers: Yelamanchili - 7815909386, Anakapalli - 7569305669, Tuni - 7815909479, Samalkot - 7382629990, Rajahmundry - 088 - 32420541, 088 - 32420543, Eluru - 7569305268, and Vijayawada - 0866 - 2575167.

The SCR said in a release that a fire incident was reported in Train No 18189 Tatanagar-Ernakulam Express at around 12.45 a.m. while reaching Yelamanchili Railway Station.

It said B1 and M2 coaches caught fire. The Railway staff swiftly acted and immediately informed the Fire Brigade. Railway officials also swung into action immediately, took up immediate measures, and assisted passengers in deboarding the train. The Fire Brigade reached the spot and extinguished the fire.

Railway officials said the affected coaches were detached, and one more AC III Tier Coach (M1) was also removed as a precautionary measure.

The leftover train formation is being moved to Samalkot Railway Station, and three empty coaches are being arranged to attach to the train formation at Samalkot.

Meanwhile, passengers of the two affected coaches are being shifted to Samalkot Railway Station by bus services.

Commissioner of Railway Safety/SCR, DRM Vijayawada and senior officers rushed to the site. The South Central Railway's General Manager is also rushing to the spot.

Forensic team and medical team moving to the spot to collect clues to find out the cause of the fire and also ascertain casualty, if any, said the SCR statement.

All necessary precautions in coordination with local administration are being taken, it added.

According to local police, the body of a passenger was found in one of the damaged coaches. The deceased was identified as Chandrsekhar Sundaram, 70, a resident of Vijayawada.

There were 82 passengers in the B-1 coach and 75 in the M-2 coach when the train caught fire.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
This is so scary. I travel on this route sometimes. The immediate response by railway staff and fire brigade is commendable. But a fire in a moving train? The forensic report on the cause is crucial. We need to know if it was an electrical fault or something else to prevent future incidents.
A
Arjun K
Good to see the system of helpline numbers being activated quickly. Sharing them publicly is helpful for worried relatives. The coordination with local admin for buses etc. seems efficient. Hope the passengers get to their destinations soon with minimal hassle.
P
Priyanka N
While the response is good, we must ask tough questions. Why did the coaches catch fire? Is our rolling stock maintenance up to the mark? One life lost is one too many. Railways need to conduct a thorough safety audit of all express trains, especially older coaches.
V
Vikram M
Thoughts with all the passengers. Must have been a terrifying experience in the middle of the night. Kudos to the railway staff on the ground for their prompt action. The GM and senior officers rushing to the spot shows they are taking it seriously. Hope the affected passengers are compensated properly.
K
Kiran H
This is why we need more focus on safety over just launching new Vande Bharat trains. Basic fire safety equipment in coaches, regular checks, and crew training are non-negotiable. Hope the investigation is transparent and leads to real improvements. Jai Hind.

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