Early-Morning Train Fire in Andhra Pradesh Triggers Evacuation of 150+ Passengers, Rail Traffic Disrupted.

One Dead After Blaze Engulfs AC Coaches of Tata Nagar–Ernakulam Express Near Elamanchili.

A tragic fire incident aboard the Tata Nagar–Ernakulam Express (Train No. 18189) in the early hours of Monday, December 29, 2025, claimed the life of one passenger and caused panic among hundreds of travelers near Elamanchili in Andhra Pradesh’s Anakapalle district, triggering major disruption on the busy Visakhapatnam–Vijayawada rail corridor.

The fire was reported between 12:45 am and 1:30 am, when the train was passing close to Elamanchili railway station, around 66 kilometres from Visakhapatnam. According to railway officials, flames were first noticed by the loco pilot, who immediately applied emergency brakes, preventing a potentially larger catastrophe. The fire primarily engulfed two air-conditioned coaches—B1 and M2—situated near the pantry car, while another coach, M1, was detached as a precautionary safety measure.

In a tragic outcome, one passenger, identified as 70-year-old Chandrasekhar Sundar, a resident of Vijayawada/Visakhapatnam, was found dead inside the B1 coach, reportedly due to suffocation caused by smoke. Additionally, nearly two dozen passengers sustained minor injuries or suffered smoke inhalation, and were provided immediate medical assistance.

At the time of the incident, 158 passengers were travelling in the two affected coaches, with 82 passengers in one coach and 76 in the other. Railway staff, local police, and emergency responders carried out a swift evacuation, ensuring most passengers were moved to safety amid thick smoke and chaos inside the train.

The incident caused significant disruption to rail services along the Visakhapatnam–Vijayawada route, with several trains either halted or regulated at Visakhapatnam, Anakapalle, and Tuni stations as safety checks were carried out. By around 3:30 am, the damaged coaches were successfully detached, and the remaining portion of the train was moved to Samalkot, where replacement coaches were attached to allow the journey to Ernakulam to resume. To assist stranded passengers, the South Central Railway (SCR), in coordination with local authorities, arranged APSRTC buses to transport affected passengers from Elamanchili to Samalkot, ensuring minimal further inconvenience.

Railway authorities have also activated multiple emergency helpline numbers across key stations including Vijayawada, Anakapalle, Elamanchili, Samalkot, and Rajahmundry, to provide real-time assistance and information to passengers and their families.

Meanwhile, an investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the fire. Preliminary findings point to a suspected brake seizure in the B1 AC coach, which may have led to overheating, though some reports suggest the blaze could have originated near the linen storage area. Two forensic teams are currently examining the site and damaged coaches, with railway officials assuring strict accountability once the probe is complete.