26 killed as Bangalore-Nanded express catches fire in Andhra

mangaloretoday.com

Bangalore, December 28, 2013 (Hindu): At least 26 passengers including children were killed and 15 injured as two coaches of the Bangalore-Nanded Express caught fire in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh early Saturday, officials said.

 

 

 

 

The disaster took place between 3.20 and 3.30 a.m. near Kothacheruvu railway station in Anantapur district bordering Karnataka, a police official said. The fire broke out in the B1 three-tier AC coach of the train proceeding from Bangalore to Nanded in Maharashtra and spread to the adjoining coach, about two kilometers from the railway station.

“The fire is being doused. The bodies will be brought out once the smoke subsides a little. We are expecting at least 23 casualties, although the exact figure can be given only after the rescue operation is over”, Mr. Prasad, who was overseeing the rescue work, said.

Railway authorities say that the train might have caught flames around 3.20 a.m. since the driver stopped the train soon after.

While the B1 three-tier air conditioned coach can usually accommodate around 64 passengers, some coaches can even accommodate 72 persons. However, the exact information regarding the capacity of the coach and the number of people who had boarded the train is yet to be known.

The toll could be substantially higher since several of the injured are lying inside the train.

 

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, expressing shock and grief, has directed the Railways and State government authorities to extend all possible help to the victims in rescue and relief operations.

A compensation of Rs. 5 lakh for the dead and Rs. 50,000 for the injured has been announced by Railways Minister M Mallikarjun Kharge.

 

Helpline numbers:

040-23310680 (Hyderabad) 080-22354108, 22259271 (Bangalore)