S11 reduced to cinders in pre-dawn inferno

A high-level inquiry by the commissioner of railway safety, South Central Circle, has been ordered to investigate into the cause of the fire that occurred in S-11 coach of Train No. 12622 New Delhi-Chennai Tamil Nadu Express near Nellore railway station in the Vijayawada-Gudur section of Vijayawada division of South Central Railway in the early hours of Monday. According to initial reports, short-circuit caused the fire in the bogie that was fifth from the rear of the train.

Minister of railways Mukul Roy, minister of state KH Muniyappa,  Railway Board chairman Vinay Mittal and member (electrical) Kulbhushan  also rushed to Nellore to take stock of the situation and monitor the relief arrangements.

INFO ON WEBSITE: Helplines were set up at Secunderabad, Vijayawada, Nellore and Warangal to enable the anxious kin of the passengers to access information on the condition of those travelling by the train.

The list of passengers travelling in the ill-fated S-11 coach as per the reservation chart; list of the injured passengers admitted to hospitals at Nellore and details of the passengers who are safe as ascertained through phone can be viewed at www.scr.indianrailways.gov.in

RESCUE & RELIEF: The fire was noticed by the Nellore station master while it was passing through the station and the train was brought to a halt immediately before the next station, Vedayapalem. The fire was  brought under control by 5.20 am. The remaining coaches of the train were isolated and the unaffected portion of the train  was run to Chennai. The burnt coach was taken to Nellore.

As per the latest information available, the rescue teams have retrieved 28 bodies (19 male, 6 female and 3 children) from the coach. Four more bodies, which were beyond recognition, were also retrieved.  Efforts are under way to identify the bodies of the deceased.

Normal train traffic on the Nellore-Gudur section was restored by 7.45 am. Due to this accident, six passenger trains were fully cancelled and four passenger trains were partially cancelled.

The South Central Railway took up rescue and relief measures in coordination with the state government to minimise loss of lives and to provide necessary medical attention. A Medical Relief Van and Accident Relief Train were rushed to the accident site from Bitragunta while fire-tenders from Nellore reached the spot by 4.40 am and brought the fire under control by 5.20 am.

Railway officials from the Vijayawada division led by the divisional railway manager reached the site to  oversee the rescue and relief operations. SCR general manager GN Asthana and other senior officials  proceeded to the spot by a special train from Sec’bad.  A special train has been run for relatives.