Ernakulam Express Fire Accident Near Elamanchili: One Dead, Two AC Coaches Burnt
In the early hours of Monday, December 29, 2025, a major fire accident occurred on the Ernakulam Express (Train No. 18189) while it was travelling through Anakapalli district of Andhra Pradesh. The blaze broke out in two air-conditioned coaches, prompting passengers to flee in panic and resulting in the death of one elderly traveller.
Fire Breaks Out Near Elamanchili
The Tata Nagar–Ernakulam Express was on its scheduled journey from Tatanagar to Ernakulam via Visakhapatnam when flames erupted at around 1:30 am near Yelamanchili railway station, close to Duvvada, in the early hours of the morning.
Railway officials later confirmed that the fire initially started in the B1 AC coach, located near the pantry car, and quickly spread to the adjacent M2 AC coach. The blaze engulfed both coaches before firefighting teams could fully control the situation.
Panic and Evacuation
As thick smoke and flames spread inside the coaches, passengers were forced to evacuate immediately. Many travellers, caught off-guard while asleep, rushed out onto the platform in fear as the fire intensified.
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Railway staff and passengers reportedly pulled the emergency chain to stop the train, after which it was brought to a halt near Elamanchili station. Railway personnel quickly disconnected the burning coaches to prevent the fire from spreading to other parts of the train.
Casualty and Damage
Tragically, one passenger — identified as 70-year-old Chandrasekhar Sundar — was charred to death inside the B1 coach and could not be rescued in time by emergency teams.
Several dozen passengers managed to escape with minor injuries, mostly due to smoke inhalation and panic during evacuation. The flames destroyed all personal belongings in the affected coaches.
Response and Rescue Operations
Firefighters from Anakapalli, Elamanchili, and Nakkapalli rushed to the scene and worked for several hours to bring the fire under control. Railway officials and ambulances were also deployed as a precaution.
Following the incident, the two gutted coaches were detached from the rest of the train. Passengers from the damaged sections were later transferred to Samarlakota by buses arranged by the authorities, and two replacement AC coaches were attached, allowing the train to resume its journey towards Ernakulam.
Train Service Disruption
The accident caused significant disruption on the Visakhapatnam–Vijayawada rail route, with several trains delayed or held at nearby stations as operations were restored.
Railway authorities have ordered a detailed investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire, including a technical examination of the burnt coaches and equipment.
Passengers Safe After Scare
Despite the tragedy, railway officials said that most passengers survived and were relocated safely, thanks to the quick response by the train crew and emergency services. The incident underscores the importance of swift evacuation procedures in preventing larger loss of life during rail emergencies.
