It was an inferno on wheels as the superfast express train from Delhi to Chennai was travelling at a speed of over 100 km per hour when the tragedy struck the train a little after 4 AM.
The fire, suspected to have been caused by a short circuit in one of the toilets, claimed the lives of 19 men, six women and three children, who were fast asleep at the time of the accident.
It was first noticed by Nellore station manager at 4.15 AM and the train was immediately brought to a halt.
Giant flames leapt out of the ill-fated bogie and the fire could be controlled only at around 5.30 AM after two fire engines reached the spot in South Central railway in Andhra Pradesh, about 150 km from Chennai.
There were reports that the S-11 coach, which carried more than 70 passengers and had just became a burnt mass of steel, had a malfunctioning door that led to passengers rushing to the other end for escape. This could have also been the reason why there were more casualties, eyewitnesses said.
The number of dead was put at 32 by Additional DG Railway Police in Hyderabad V S K Kaumudi. 25 people were injured in the mishap and have been admitted to different hospitals.
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The Railways have declared a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the next of the kin of the dead and Rs 1 lakh for those with grievous injuries. The Railways would also give job to one member of the family which has lost its breadwinner. (MORE)