Fire on Tata Ernakulam Express kills one; over 150 passengers evacuated safely

One passenger died in a fire that engulfed two AC coaches of train no. 18189 Tata–Ernakulam Express at Yelamanchili railway station, under the Vijayawada Division of South Central Railway, in the early hours of Monday (December 29, 2025). The other passengers had a miraculous escape. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

The train was traveling from Tatanagar to Ernakulam. At around 12:40 a.m., as it approached Elamanchili railway station, a passenger noticed a fire in one of the AC coaches. He immediately pulled the emergency chain, bringing the train to a halt at Elamanchili, alerting the other passengers, and helped them jump out to safety, according to sources.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, in a message on the social media platform ‘X’ said, it was unfortunate that one life was lost in the incident and offered condolences to the bereaved family. He commended the Yelamanchili Police and the Fire Department for swift and coordinated response, which ensured the safe evacuation of more than 150 passengers. He also appreciated the RPF and the Railway staff for their prompt action in separating the front and rear coaches, preventing further damage.

Fire personnel work to contain the blaze that gutted the B-1 and M-2 coaches of train no. 18189 (Tata–Ernakulam) Superfast Express on Monday.
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BY ARRANGEMENT

Anakapalli SP Tuhin Sinha, who rushed to Yelamanchili station, said, “82 passengers were travelling in one of the affected coaches while 76 were travelling in the other. The victim has been identified as Chandrasekhar Sunder (75) of Vijayawada, who was travelling in the B 1 coach. The reservation charts have been verified and all other passengers are safe. The family members of the victim have been informed. The cause of fire is being investigated.”

DRM, Vijayawada Division, handed over ₹50,000 as ex-gratia to the daughter of the deceased.

The railway staff acted swiftly and informed the fire brigade. Railway officials also swung into action and took immediate measures. The fire brigade personnel had a tough time controlling the fire and preventing it from spreading to other coaches.

Commissioner of Railway Safety/SCR, DRM, Vijayawada, and senior officials rushed to the spot. Forensic team members from Visakhapatnam and Mangalagiri have been deployed to collect evidence. The fire alarm system provided in the coach activated immediately upon detection of smoke/fire, according to railway sources.

The coach mechanic and bed-roll staff, along with the train TTE, promptly alerted the passengers and effectively utilised the fire extinguishers available in the coach, thereby preventing further spread to other coaches, the sources added.

Home Minister V. Anita and TDP State president Palla Srinivasa Rao condoled the death of the passenger and expressed their sympathies to the bereaved family members.

Former Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed shock and sorrow over the tragic fire accident. He urged the government and railway authorities to take immediate steps to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured and to extend all necessary support to the affected passengers.

The railways have opened Helpline numbers to provide information on the accident and running of trains. They are: Elamanchili 7815909386; Anakapalle 7569305669; Tuni 7815909479; Samalkot 7382629990; Rajahmundry 0883-2420541/43; Eluru 7569305268; Vijayawada 0866-2575167.

Trains cancelled: As a fall out of the fire accident, 67286 Visakhapatnam-Rajahmundry passenger, leaving Visakhapatnam on December 29 has been cancelled and in the return direction, 67285 Rajahmundry-Visakhapatnam, scheduled to leave Rajahmundry, on December 30 is also cancelled. Train no. 17268 Visakhapatnam-Kakinada express, leaving Visakhapatnam on December 29 is cancelled, according to an official release.