A fire broke out in two coaches of the Tata–Ernakulam Express near Elamanchili in Andhra Pradesh’s Anakapalli district early on Monday, 29 December, railway officials said. The locomotive pilot brought the train to an immediate halt, allowing for the swift evacuation of passengers.
Railway authorities said one coach was engulfed in flames during the incident. Anakapalli Superintendent of Police Tuhin Sinha confirmed that one passenger died in the fire, while further details on the cause of the blaze are awaited.
“A fire broke out in two coaches of the Tata Ernakulam Express near Elamanchili, Anakapalli, early today. The loco pilot halted the train immediately and enabled mass evacuation. One coach caught fire in the accident,” the railways said in a statement.
Officials said they received information about the fire at 12:45 am.
The official told reporters that there were 82 passengers in one of the affected coaches and 76 in another when the train caught fire. “Unfortunately, a dead body was found from the B1 coach,” the official added.
The deceased was identified as Chandrsekhar Sundaram.
The two damaged coaches were detached from the train, which proceeded towards Ernakulam. The passengers in the damaged coaches will be sent to their destinations.
Two forensic teams are working to ascertain the cause of the fire, the police official said.
Videos of the incident are making rounds on the internet, showing the coaches up in flames and firemen trying to put off the blaze.
The South Central Railway said that the fire had now been extinguished.
“In view of a fire incident occurred in the Train No. 18189 Tatanagar to Ernakulam reported at Elamanchili (YLM) Railway station in Vijayawada division. The fire brigade reached the spot and extinguished the fire,” it said in a post on X.
It further said that helpline numbers had been issued to provide information to passengers and their families.
Railways issue helpline numbers
Hours following the fire incident in the Tata–Ernakulam Express near Elamanchili, the Divisional Railway Manager of Vijaywada said that helpline numbers had been set up for seven stations in the area.
“In view of the fire incident in Train No.18189 Tata-Ernakulam Express at Anakapalle at 00:44 hours of 29.12.2025 Helpline Numbers are set up at following Stations,” the DRM Vijaywada said.
Here are the helpline numbers for each railway station —
Rajahmundry: 0883-2420541/43.
Vijayawada: 0866-2575167.
Further details of the incident are awaited.
Andhra Pradesh train accident: What is the latest update?
The South Central Railway later issued a detailed report of the incident, providing insight on the affected coaches.
“In Train No.18189 Tatanagar to Ernakulam Express – a fire incident was reported at around 00.45 hrs while reaching Elamanchili Railway Station, Vijayawada Division. In the fire incident, B1 and M2 coaches caught fire. The Railway Staff swiftly acted and immediately informed the Fire brigade. Both the affected coaches were detached and also one more AC III Tier Coach (M1) was also detached as a precautionary measure,” it said.
“The passengers of the two affected coaches are being shifted to Samalkot Railway Station by arranging bus services. All necessary precautions in coordination with local administration are being taken,” the railways added.
