Bodies charred beyond recognition; survivors tell horror tales; coach becomes museum of nightmare
The tracks leading to the Nellore Railway Station have turned into a desolate museum of sorts, thronged by scores of visitors. The sight that greets people here are the gory remnants of a fire accident that claimed 32 lives and injured 27 in the early hours on Monday.
At 4.22 a.m., a fire broke out in the S11 coach of the Chennai-bound Tamil Nadu Express (12622), as the train, which began its journey in Delhi, was passing through Nellore.
A pair of white shoes lies abandoned on a section of the tracks. Near the shoes are a few blood-stained air pillows. Toothbrushes, shaving gear and packets of what used to be dinner, are some of the other items strewn on the tracks. At around 2.30 p.m., a group of locals huddle by the tracks in mournful silence, some scanning the debris carefully, others curious about the ash. About 100 metres away, a group of residents from Nellore Ramamurthy Nagar are taking shade beneath a tree. These residents saw the train compartment go up in flames. “It was around 4 a.m. I think, when I heard a commotion. When I stepped out, I was shocked to see a compartment on fire,” said Venkateswaralu, a resident. As he had undergone a throat operation he could not rush forward to save the passengers, but called the fire service, an ambulance and a few local politicians, he said.
“But there were other residents who rushed forward to give water to the thirsty passengers. Some were crying and some were trying to make calls to their loved ones. By 5 a.m., two fire-fighting vehicles arrived and were trying to douse the flames,” said Venkateswaralu.
For them language was not a barrier. “Some of them knew Telugu, but many did not. But we knew they needed help and we did what we could. This is the first time we are seeing such an accident on a track near our locality,” added Venkateswarlu.
K. Chandrasekhar, another resident says he was woken up by the barking of dogs. “It was unusual, so I came out and I saw was the compartment burning. By then the fire service had arrived. Ambulances were also present at the site of the accident,” he said.
“The railways hike fares frequently, but the facilities remain abysmal. Their negligence has cost so many lives,” says P. Abdul Thameem, another resident.
Keywords: Tamil Nadu Express, train accident, Nellore railway station, Nellore train mishap, TN Express fire
What stops Railways from using Fireproof material? Are they waiting for more such happenings?
I sincerely think increase in the railway fares is the need of the hour not to make the India Railways comfortable(as far as some think) but to make them safe, there is a minimum cost involved for the safety mechanisms of the Railways, which Mamta di, I think, failed to understand and revoked the hiked prices.
Also, I think maintainence of Railways is abyssmal, as the pay is very less for the employees who maintain the coaches.
I agree Railways increase the fare but no safety measures taken.
Mamata and his team were particular in getting funds to their state but
does not care for the safety of human lives.
Very sad state of affairs for this country
Why not Railways create a safety fund to improve tracks and coaches
Overseas almost all trains have fire extinguishers, don't know if Indian trains have? if not than they should make it a law all public transport must have extinguishers - it could save lives
also the coaches should be interconnected, many lives could have been saved.
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