Andhra Pradesh – A deadly fire tore through two coaches of the Tatanagar-Ernakulam Express early Monday, killing one passenger and forcing the evacuation of 158 people on board, officials confirmed. The Andhra Pradesh train fire has sparked urgent investigations into safety protocols and emergency response.
The blaze broke out at around 12:45 a.m. near Yalamanchili railway station in the Anakapalli district as the train was travelling from Tatanagar to Ernakulam. Flames were first reported in the B1 AC coach before spreading to a second compartment, with passengers in both bogies forced to flee through thick smoke.
Emergency teams halted the train and quickly detached the two damaged coaches, allowing the rest of the formation to continue its journey toward Kerala. Of the affected coaches, one carried 82 passengers and the other 76, all of whom were evacuated safely. However, one man, identified as 70-year-old Chandrasekhar Sundar, was found charred inside the B1 coach.
Railway personnel and local fire services battled the inferno for hours before bringing it under control. Two forensic teams have been deployed to determine the exact cause of the fire, whether mechanical failure, electrical fault, or another trigger, as authorities work to prevent future tragedies.
The shock of this incident comes shortly after another close call on Pakistani rails, where an accident at Kharian Railway Station saw passengers escape disaster due to swift action by crew and safety systems. In that event, timely intervention prevented injuries, underscoring the critical role of emergency preparedness on busy train routes.
Railway officials are coordinating alternate transport for affected travellers and have set up helplines for updates. The Andhra Pradesh train fire has once again raised questions about safety measures on long-distance trains and the need for improved emergency response standards across the network.
