Major fire broke out in S11 coach of Nizamuddin-Chennai Tamil Nadu Express near Nellore early this morning around 4.22 AM. The train has no stoppage at Nellore and the fiore was noticed while it was passing the Nellore station. The death toll may be any number between 30 to 50, say the rescue teams. Preliminary investigations suggest short circuit as the cause of the fire.

The ill-fated S11 coach had, as per the reservation records, 72 passengers, out of which 28 in Vijayawada and 7 at Kazipet boarded the train. Rescue operations are going on. So far 12 persons are declared dead and 25 are admitted to several hospitals in Nellore with serious and minor injuries. The S11 bogie is completely gutted and the dead bodies are burnt beyond recognition. The railway officials, who are monitoring the rescue operations are not able to specify exact number of deaths occured. They say, it will take some more time to confirm the exact number of deaths and also the cause of fire. The Railwayas has announced an ex-gracia of Rs. 5.00 lakhs for the dead and Rs. 1.00 lakh for the grievously injured.

Nellore accident: Helpline - Secunderabad 040-27786723/27700868/27786539, Nellore 0861-2345863/2345864/2345866
Nellore accident: Helpline - Vijayawada 0866-2576924/2575038/2576796/25761072 and Warangal 0870-2426232/097013-37106.