Nanded express catches fire in Andhra Pradesh, many feared dead

Anantpur (AP): An alert train driver and other railway staff on board the Bangalore-Nanded Express on Saturday prevented the fire in an AC coach from spreading by stopping the train and detaching the burning bogie. The fire ripped through an AC coach of the train, burning alive 26 people, including two children, in sleep and injuring 13 others in the wee hours.

"Timely action by the train driver and other railway employees ensured the fire did not spread to other bogies. The train driver and other railway staff, after learning about the fire (between 3.10 AM and 3.15 AM), immediately got the burning coach detached from the train and managed to contain the fire," Anantpur District SP S Senthil Kumar said.

The driver got the train stopped near Kothacheruvu Railway Station and with other railway staff got the ill-fated bogie detached. Asked if they suspected any sabotage, the SP said prima-facie the cause of the fire appears to be a short-circuit.

"Anyhow, we have to do thorough investigation to ascertain the exact reasons," he said.

Anantapur District Collector Lokesh Kumar said fire tenders and other rescue machinery were immediately rushed to the spot. According to Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police B Prasada Rao, the state police has taken up massive relief and rescue operations. Fire service personnel from nearby fire stations were rushed to the spot and flames were extinguished. "Preliminary reports indicate that the cause of the fire was a short-circuit near the air-conditioning unit," the DGP said.

"Since some of the bodies are charred beyond recognition, DNA testing will be done to identify the deceased.Forensic teams from Hyderabad have been rushed to the incident site to collect evidence and also DNA samples," he said

Also read: Anantapur train mishap: Agonising wait for kin

The fire broke out in the AC 3-tire coach B-1, fourth from the engine, near Sri Satya Sai Prasanthi Nilayam railway station, about 170 kms northeast of Bangalore, at 3:45 a.m when most of the passengers were fast asleep. After noticing the fire, the driver stopped the train near Kothacheruvu railway station and the ill-fated coach was detached, preventing the fire from spreading to other bogies.

Read more: Train accident survivors recount horror

Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge described the incident as "tragic and most unfortunate" and ordered an inquiry by the Commissioner of Railway Safety. "Preliminary reports indicate that the cause of the fire was electrical short-circuit near the Air-Conditioning Unit," Andhra Director General of Police B Prasada Rao said.

Also read: Chronology of major rail mishaps in last 10 years

Forensic teams from Hyderabad are on their way to the spot to collect samples for analysis. The train had left Bangalore at 10:45 PM last night with a composition of 16 coaches, South Western Railway said, adding that the affected coach was carrying 65 passengers.

According to railway officials, the bodies of passengers are being shifted from the accident spot to Victoria Hospital in Bangalore. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed shock and grief over the loss of lives in the mishap.

He also spoke to the Railway Minister and inquired about the rescue and relief work being carried out at the site. The Railway Minister announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased, Rs 1 lakh in case of grievous injuries and Rs 50,000 for simple injuries. 

District Medical and Health Officer Dr C Ramasubba Rao said the femur (thighbone) of the deceased will be preserved for DNA test as the bodies were charred beyond recognition. This is the second train mishap in the district.

In March last year, 25 passengers were killed, near Penukonda in the district when the Bangalore-bound Hampi Express rammed into a stationary goods train after its driver apparently overshot the signal near the station here in the wee hours. The Railway Minister has instructed officials to provide best treatment to the affected passengers.

As per his directions, the officers of Railway Board, Member Electrical, Kul Bhushan, and Director General, Health have rushed to the accident spot from Delhi. The Railways have requested relatives not to go to the accident site and instead come to Victoria Hospital for identification of bodies.

The helpline numbers are:

For Bangalore: 080-22354108, 22259271, 22156554, 22156551
For Puttaparthi: 08555-280125
For Hyderabad: 040- 23310680

For SSP Nilayam station: 085 552 80125, 097 31666863.