A tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Monday when a fire broke out in two air-conditioned coaches of the Tata Nagar–Ernakulam Express (Train No. 18189) in Andhra Pradesh’s Anakapalli district, resulting in the death of one passenger. Several others managed to escape safely, according to railway police.
The train was travelling from Tatanagar to Ernakulam via Visakhapatnam when flames were noticed around 1:30 am, shortly after it crossed Duvvada. The fire affected the B1 and M2 AC coaches, which were positioned next to the pantry car.
Fire Noticed, Train Halted Immediately
Railway officials said the incident was first detected by the loco pilots near Yelamanchili, prompting them to stop the train at the nearest station. However, before fire services could arrive, the blaze spread rapidly, completely gutting both AC coaches.
Dense smoke quickly filled the compartments, causing panic among passengers. Many rushed out in low visibility conditions, unsure of the situation, eyewitnesses said.
Passenger Dies, Others Escape Safely
Railway authorities later confirmed that one passenger lost their life in the incident. The deceased was identified as Chandrasekhar Sundar (70), a resident of Vijayawada, who was reportedly trapped inside the B1 AC coach and died due to burn injuries.
Officials added that all other passengers were safely evacuated, bringing some relief amid the tragedy.
Firefighting and Rescue Operations
Fire tenders from Anakapalli, Elamanchili, and Nakkapalli rushed to the site and worked for several hours to control the fire. Despite their efforts, all belongings inside the two affected coaches were destroyed.
Senior railway officials reached the spot to oversee relief operations. Ambulances were deployed as a precaution, and passengers were made to wait at the station for several hours during the cold night.
Rail Traffic Disrupted
Due to the incident, rail services on the Visakhapatnam–Vijayawada route were temporarily suspended, leading to delays for multiple trains. Services were halted at Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, and Tuni stations until normal operations could be restored.
Train Resumes Journey After Rearrangement
After 3:30 am, the burnt coaches were detached. Passengers from the affected coaches were shifted to Samarlakota using APSRTC buses, where two replacement AC coaches were attached to the train. The Tata Nagar–Ernakulam Express later resumed its onward journey.
Railway sources indicated that overheating of brakes in the B1 AC coach may have caused sparks that led to the fire, though the exact cause is yet to be confirmed.
Inquiry Ordered
Railway authorities have ordered a detailed investigation to determine the precise cause of the fire and identify any safety lapses.
