Anantpur, Dec 28: With three more bodies recovered from the charred AC coach of Bangalore-Nanded Express, the toll in the mishap has risen to 26.
"So far 26 persons have died in the incident. Rescue operations are still going on," Anantpur District SP S Senthil Kumar said.
The fire broke out at 3:30 AM in the B1 coach packed with 64 passengers at Kothacheravu Railway Station.
A majority of the passengers were sleeping when the fire broke out.
Forensic teams from Hyderabad are on their way the spot to collect samples for analysis.
Most of the injured have been treated as out patients in different hospitals, he said.
District Medical and Health Officials said they are conducting autopsy of the deceased at the accident spot.
Dr C Ramasubba Rao, DM and HO said 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.
Earlier report:
23 killed as Nanded-Bangalore Express catches fire, Rs. 5 lakh compensation announced
The mishap took place near the Kothacheruvu railway station in Anantapur district bordering Karnataka at around 3.30am. Passengers told TV channels they were sleeping when somebody noticed smoke in the B1 AC coach and pulled the emergency chain to stop the train.
Passengers then climbed out of the train when it was still dark and the coach was on fire. According to rescue workers and TV channels, 12 injured passengers were being treated in hospitals in Dharmavaram, Puttaparthi and Anantapur hospitals.
CS Gupta, a spokesperson for South Western Railways, confirmed 15 deaths and said casualties could rise. Gupta said most passengers seemed to have choked to death in the smoke that engulfed the coach.
According to NDTV reports, the train had left Bangalore at 10:45 pm on Friday and was headed for Nanded. It had about 64 passengers, mostly from Karnataka, on board. The fire broke out when the train was near the Prasanthi Nilayam ashram.
Sananda Aruna, additional divisional railway manager, said the fire was doused but identifying the dead would take time because the passenger lists were burnt.
"It is a frightening scene inside the coach. Many are charred, beyond recognition, to death," said Raghuveera Reddy, Andhra Pradesh state revenue minister and the local MLA who visited the site. The local MP has also visited the accident site.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has directed 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
Bangalore: 08022354108, 08022259271, 08022156554, 08022156553
Railways: 9731666863
Earlier report:
Nanded-Bangalore express catches fire, at least 23 killed
Anantapur (AP), Dec 28: At least 23 people, including two children, were charred to death when an AC coach of Nanded-Bangalore Express caught fire in the district early today.
The fire broke out at 3:30 AM at Kothacheravu railway station between Pennukonda and Dharmavaram stations.
"Rescue operations are underway. 23 persons including two children were charred to death in the accident,", District Collector, Anantapur, Lokesh Kumar told reporters.
Senior Railway officials have rushed to the spot and relief and medical team have been pressed into service, the collector said.
Railway officials suspect that the incident occurred due to a short-circuit.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has expressed shock and grief over the loss of lives in the fire accident.
He also spoke to Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge and inquired about the steps being taken for rescue and relief work at the accident site.
Describing the incident as "tragic" and "most unfortunate", Kharge ordered an enquiry into the incident by Commissioner of Railway Safety.
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.
He has also asked senior railway officials such as Member Electrical and Director General Health to rush to the spot.
Chairman, Railway Board, Arunendra Kumar said the reason behind the accident is yet to be ascertained.
However, prima facie there could be two reasons - one is short circuit and the other presence of inflammable material.
The magnitude of the accident suggests that short circuit was unlikely, he said.
Asked whether it could be inflammable material, he said it could be and the inquiry would go into it.
"We have asked for forensic experts from Bangalore and Hyderabad to examine the site," he said.
The Railway Minister and the Railway Board Chairman are rushing to the site.
The affected coach has been detached and train has resumed its onward journey.
The Railways have also set up helpline numbers to disseminate latest information to passengers and family members of the affected.
The Bangalore numbers are -- 080 22354108, 080 22259271, 080 22156551 and 080 22156554.
Helpline at SSP Nilayam station are -- 085 552 80125 and 097 31666863.
Comments
Add new comment