<div>At least 23 people, including two children, were charred to death when an AC coach of Nanded-Bangalore Express caught fire in the district early today.<div><br /></div><div>The fire broke out at 3:30 AM at Kothacheravu railway station between Pennukonda and Dharmavaram stations.<br /><br /></div><div>"Rescue operations are underway. 23 persons including two children were charred to death in the accident,", District Collector, Anantapur, Lokesh Kumar told reporters.<br /><br /></div><div>Senior Railway officials have rushed to the spot and relief and medical team have been pressed into service, the collector said. </div><div><br /><div>Railway officials suspect that the incident occurred due to a short-circuit.<br /><br /></div><div>Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has expressed shock and grief over the loss of lives in the fire accident.<br /><br /></div><div>He also spoke to Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge and inquired about the steps being taken for rescue and relief work at the accident site.<br /><br /></div><div>Describing the incident as "tragic" and "most unfortunate", Kharge ordered an enquiry into the incident by Commissioner of Railway Safety.<br /><br /></div><div>The Railway Minister announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased, Rs 1 lakh in case of grievous injuries and Rs 50,000 for simple injuries.<br /><br /></div><div>He has also asked senior railway officials such as Member Electrical and Director General Health to rush to the spot. <br /><br /><div>Chairman, Railway Board, Arunendra Kumar said the reason behind the accident is yet to be ascertained.<br /><br /></div><div>However, prima facie there could be two reasons - one is short circuit and the other presence of inflammable material.<br /><br /></div><div>The magnitude of the accident suggests that short circuit was unlikely, he said.<br /><br /></div><div>Asked whether it could be inflammable material, he said it could be and the inquiry would go into it.<br /><br /></div><div>"We have asked for forensic experts from Bangalore and Hyderabad to examine the site," he said.<br /><br /></div><div>The Railway Minister and the Railway Board Chairman are rushing to the site.<br /><br /></div><div>The affected coach has been detached and train has resumed its onward journey. <br /><br /><div>The Railways have also set up helpline numbers to disseminate latest information to passengers and family members of the affected.<br /><br /></div><div>The Bangalore numbers are -- 080 22354108, 080 22259271, 080 22156551 and 080 22156554.<br /><br /></div><div>Helpline at SSP Nilayam station are -- 085 552 80125 and 097 31666863. </div></div></div></div></div>
<div>At least 23 people, including two children, were charred to death when an AC coach of Nanded-Bangalore Express caught fire in the district early today.<div><br /></div><div>The fire broke out at 3:30 AM at Kothacheravu railway station between Pennukonda and Dharmavaram stations.<br /><br /></div><div>"Rescue operations are underway. 23 persons including two children were charred to death in the accident,", District Collector, Anantapur, Lokesh Kumar told reporters.<br /><br /></div><div>Senior Railway officials have rushed to the spot and relief and medical team have been pressed into service, the collector said. </div><div><br /><div>Railway officials suspect that the incident occurred due to a short-circuit.<br /><br /></div><div>Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has expressed shock and grief over the loss of lives in the fire accident.<br /><br /></div><div>He also spoke to Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge and inquired about the steps being taken for rescue and relief work at the accident site.<br /><br /></div><div>Describing the incident as "tragic" and "most unfortunate", Kharge ordered an enquiry into the incident by Commissioner of Railway Safety.<br /><br /></div><div>The Railway Minister announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased, Rs 1 lakh in case of grievous injuries and Rs 50,000 for simple injuries.<br /><br /></div><div>He has also asked senior railway officials such as Member Electrical and Director General Health to rush to the spot. <br /><br /><div>Chairman, Railway Board, Arunendra Kumar said the reason behind the accident is yet to be ascertained.<br /><br /></div><div>However, prima facie there could be two reasons - one is short circuit and the other presence of inflammable material.<br /><br /></div><div>The magnitude of the accident suggests that short circuit was unlikely, he said.<br /><br /></div><div>Asked whether it could be inflammable material, he said it could be and the inquiry would go into it.<br /><br /></div><div>"We have asked for forensic experts from Bangalore and Hyderabad to examine the site," he said.<br /><br /></div><div>The Railway Minister and the Railway Board Chairman are rushing to the site.<br /><br /></div><div>The affected coach has been detached and train has resumed its onward journey. <br /><br /><div>The Railways have also set up helpline numbers to disseminate latest information to passengers and family members of the affected.<br /><br /></div><div>The Bangalore numbers are -- 080 22354108, 080 22259271, 080 22156551 and 080 22156554.<br /><br /></div><div>Helpline at SSP Nilayam station are -- 085 552 80125 and 097 31666863. </div></div></div></div></div>