In Andhra Pradesh, at least 30 persons were killed and 25 injured when the New Delhi-Chennai, Tamil Nadu express caught fire between Nellore and Vedaypalem on Vijayawada-Gudur section during the early hours today.

Fire broke out at around 4.15 hrs in the S-11 compartment after the train left Nellore Railway Station. Rescue and relief operations are underway on full swing. Nellore District Collector Sridhar told reporters that the charred bodies are still being recovered from the gutted compartment.

The number of victims is likely to go up. The injured have been admitted in Nellore Government and private hospitals. The ill fated S-11 bogey has been shunted to Nellore Railway Station while the rest of the train has been sent to Chennai.

Railway Minister Mukul Roy today ordered an inquiry into the Tamil Nadu Express fire mishap and announced an ex-gratia payment of five lakh rupees each for the next of the kin of those killed in the accident. He also announced a payment of one lakh rupees each for the grievously injured and 25,000 rupees for those who suffered simple injuries.

The inquiry by D K Singh, Commissioner of Railway Safety of South-Central Circle, will look into the cause of the mishap near Nellore in Andhra Pradesh. Railway Ministry spokesperson Anil Saxena said, relief has been despatched through the accident relief medical train from Bitragunda station.

Minister of state for Railways, Muniyappa has expressed shock and conveyed condolences to the bereaved families. He will be reaching Nellore this afternoon to review the situation. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy and state Home Minister Sabitha Indra Reddy have left for Nellore to console the families of victims.

Helplines have been set up at Vijayawada, Nellore and Secunderabad for information about the accident victims.

Secunderabad: 040-27786723, 27700868 and 27786539.
Vijayawada : 0866-2576924, 2575038 and 1072.
Nellore : 0861-2345864, 2345865 and 2345866.

Warangal: 0870-2426232 and 09701371063.