Midnight fire on Tatanagar-Ernakulam Express claims one life, two AC coaches gutted

Blaze breaks out near pantry car while passengers slept; elderly man burned alive, dozens injured, key rail route suspended

A tragic fire accident struck the Tatanagar-Ernakulam Express in the early hours of the day as the train was passing through Visakhapatnam-Duvvada section, triggering panic among sleeping passengers and leading to one fatality.

According to reports, the fire erupted around 1.30 am, when most passengers were in deep sleep. Flames were first noticed in the B1 and M2 air-conditioned coaches, located next to the pantry car. Thick smoke quickly spread, engulfing the coaches and reducing visibility inside the train.

Alerted to the situation, the loco pilots immediately applied emergency brakes and brought the train to a halt at Elamanchili railway station. However, by the time emergency services were informed and reached the spot, the fire had already intensified.

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Firefighting teams from Anakapalli, Elamanchili and Nakkapalli rushed to the station and worked for a considerable time to bring the blaze under control. By then, both AC coaches were completely gutted, and the entire station area was covered in dense smoke, creating a terrifying scene for passengers and locals.

During the evacuation, it was found that one passenger in the B1 AC coach was trapped and burned alive. The deceased has been identified as Chandrashekar Sundar (70), a resident of Visakhapatnam. Railway officials confirmed his death at the scene.

In addition to the fatality, around two dozen passengers sustained injuries, mostly due to smoke inhalation and panic during escape. While several passengers managed to escape with minor injuries, all their personal belongings were completely destroyed in the fire.

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Following the incident, rail services on the Visakhapatnam-Vijayawada route were suspended, causing major disruption. Railway authorities said that alternative arrangements were made after 3.30 am to transport stranded passengers to their destinations using other trains.

An investigation has been initiated to determine the exact cause of the fire, with special focus on the area near the pantry car.