A night blaze near Yelamanchili halts a long-distance train, leaves one elderly passenger dead, and triggers rescue, evacuation, and a safety investigation.
A major fire broke out on the Tatanagar Ernakulam Express Train No. 18189 during the early hours of Monday, December 29, 2025, while the train was passing near Yelamanchili in the Anakapalli district of Andhra Pradesh. The train was travelling from Tatanagar in Jharkhand to Ernakulam in Kerala when the incident occurred.
Spots Smoke and Stops Train Immediately
The fire started around 12:40 to 12:45 am when the locomotive pilot noticed smoke and flames rising from the coaches. He immediately brought the train to a halt near Yelamanchili station, preventing the fire from spreading further.
Fire Engulfs Two AC Three-Tier Coaches
The blaze began in the B1 AC three-tier coach and quickly spread to the adjacent B2 M2 AC coach. Both coaches were completely gutted, destroying passengers’ luggage and personal belongings. The affected coaches were located close to the pantry car, increasing the danger.
Fire and rescue teams from Anakapalli, Elamanchili, and Nakkapalli rushed to the spot soon after the incident. Firefighters worked continuously for hours to contain and control the fire. Ambulances and senior railway officials also reached the site to supervise rescue operations.
1 Passenger Found Dead Inside Burnt Coach
Rescue teams recovered the body of 70-year-old Chandrasekhar Sundaram from the burnt B1 coach. Officials confirmed that the elderly passenger got trapped inside the coach and died in the fire. No other fatalities were reported.
Quick Evacuation Saves Over 150 Lives
At the time of the incident, around 158 passengers were travelling in the two affected coaches, with 82 passengers in one coach and 76 in the other. Railway staff evacuated all remaining passengers safely after stopping the train, helping prevent further loss of life.
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Burnt Coaches Detached and Train Continues Journey
Railway officials detached the two charred coaches to ensure safety. Authorities arranged APSRTC buses to transport stranded passengers to Samalkot Samarlakota, where replacement AC coaches were attached. The remaining portion of the train later resumed its journey towards Ernakulam.
Train Services Disrupted on Busy Rail Section
The fire caused temporary disruptions and delays on the busy Visakhapatnam-Vijayawada railway route, affecting several trains passing through the Yelamanchili section.
Railway Safety Officials Launch Investigation
Senior railway officials, including the Divisional Railway Manager of Vijayawada Division and experts from the Commission of Railway Safety, launched an investigation to find the exact cause of the fire. Forensic teams also reached the site to assist with the probe. Preliminary information points to possible overheating or sparks, though officials have not confirmed the cause.
Railways Issue Emergency Helpline Numbers
Following the incident, the Railways issued emergency helpline numbers to help passengers and their families with information, assistance, and travel-related queries.
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FAQs
Q1. Which train caught fire in Andhra Pradesh?
The Tatanagar Ernakulam Express, Train No. 18189, caught fire near Yelamanchili in the Anakapalli district of Andhra Pradesh.
Q2. How many coaches were affected by the fire?
The fire completely destroyed two AC three-tier coaches, B1 and B2 M2.
Q3. How many passengers were travelling in the affected coaches?
A total of 158 passengers were travelling in the two affected coaches at the time of the incident.
Q4. Did the fire claim any lives?
Yes, the fire claimed the life of one passenger. Seventy-year-old Chandrasekhar Sundaram died after getting trapped inside the burning coach.
Q5. What steps did the Railways take after the incident?
The Railways safely evacuated passengers, detached the burnt coaches, arranged buses and replacement coaches, issued emergency helpline numbers, and launched safety and forensic investigations.
khushisikarwar is an award-winning journalist and content creator who thrives on telling stories that matter. As a key contributor to Newsisland, [she] focus on cultural commentary, providing readers with thought-provoking insights.
