Delhi/Vijayawada, 29 December (H.S.): One person was killed after a fire broke out in Train No. 18189 Tatanagar–Ernakulam Express near Elamanchili Railway Station in the Vijayawada Division during the early hours of Monday, railway and police officials said.

The incident was reported at around 12.45 am when the train was approaching Elamanchili, about 66 kilometres from Visakhapatnam. In the fire incident, B1 and M2 coaches caught fire, triggering panic among passengers.

Railway staff acted swiftly and immediately informed the fire brigade. Officials assisted passengers in safely deboarding the train, following which fire brigade personnel reached the spot and extinguished the blaze.

At the time of the incident, there were 82 passengers in one of the affected coaches and 76 in the other. A dead body was later recovered from the B1 coach. The deceased has been identified as Chandrasekhar Sundaram, officials said.

Both the affected coaches were detached from the train. In addition, one AC III-tier coach, M1, was also detached as a precautionary measure. The remaining train formation is being moved to Samalkot Railway Station, where arrangements are underway to attach three empty coaches to restore the train’s composition.

Passengers from the two affected coaches are being shifted to Samalkot Railway Station through buses arranged by the railways. Further arrangements are being made to send them to their respective destinations.

Meanwhile, senior railway officials, including the Commissioner of Railway Safety, Divisional Railway Manager of Vijayawada Division and other officers, rushed to the site. The General Manager of South Central Railway is also proceeding to the spot.

Forensic and medical teams have been mobilised to collect clues to determine the exact cause of the fire and to ascertain the extent of casualties, if any. All necessary precautions are being taken in coordination with the local administration, officials said.

Railways have set up helpline numbers to provide assistance and train-related information to passengers:

Elamanchili – 7815909386

Anakapalle – 7569305669

Tuni – 7815909479

Samalkot – 7382629990

Rajahmundry – 088-32420541, 088-32420543

Eluru – 7569305268

Vijayawada – 0866-2575167

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar