30th July, 2012, Nellore: At least thirty passengers were killed and around 30th others were severely injured after a major fire erupted in one of the compartments of the New Delhi-Chennai Tamil Nadu Express. The incident took place on Monday morning at around 4.30 am near Nellore, Andhra Pradesh.
According to reports, the station manager of Nellore noticed the blaze in the train. Immediately, the train was stopped and the fire was extinguished. The fire spread quite fast and the passengers were unable to get out of the compartment quickly. The reason for the fire is still not known, but it is suspected that the fire broke out because of a short circuit near the washroom.
Current report suggests that around 26 passengers were rescued from S11 compartment. It is believed that still there are some passengers trapped in the train. Rescue workers are using gas cutters to get in to the compartment. Injured passengers have been sent to nursing homes.
Top officials and the police superintendent have reached to the place and supervising the relief and rescue work. A special relief train has already left for Nellore from Chennai. Officials have denied commenting on the reason of the fire.
