In Andhra Pradesh, 32 people were killed in a train fire accident near Nellore this morning. 26 people sustained injuries. The accident occurred when a bogey of the Chennai bound Tamil Nadu Express caught fire between Nellore and Vedaypalem on Vijayawada-Gudur section.

An official press release says that 28 bodies recovered have been identified and four other bodies are beyond recognition. Fire broke out at around 4.15 a.m. in S-11 compartment after the train left Nellore Railway Station. Nellore District Collector Sridhar told reporters that the charred bodies are still being recovered from the gutted compartment. The injured have been admitted in different hospitals. The ill fated bogey has been shunted to Nellore Railway Station while the rest of the train has been sent to Chennai.

Rescue and relief operations are in full swing. The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr. Kiran Kumar Reddy has said that only forensic research will tell whether it was a sabotage. He called for safety audit for all running trains.

Mr. Reddy announced assistance to the next of the kin of those killed in the tragedy apart from the injured. He also said employment will be given to one of the dependents in the family. Railway Ministry has ordered an inquiry and announced an ex-gratia payment of five lakh rupees for the next of the kin of those killed in the tragedy.

He said an amount of one lakh rupees will be given to those who are grievously injured in the accident and 25 thousand rupees to those who suffered minor injuries.

The deaths have been widely mourned. Vice-President, Mohd. Hamid Ansari has conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and wished speedy recovery to the injured passengers. In his condolence message, the Prime Minister, Dr.Manmohan Singh has asked the Railway Ministry to coordinate with the State Government for immediate relief and rescue. Railway Minister, Mr. Mukul Roy has also expressed sympathy with the bereaved families.

Helplines have been set up at several railway stations including Chennai, New Delhi, Vijayawada, Nellore and Secunderabad for information about the accident victims.

The numbers for Chennai Central: 044-25357398 and 25330821 Secunderabad: 040-27786723, 27700868 and 27786539.
Vijayawada : 0866-2576924, 2575038 and 1072.
Nellore : 0861-2345864, 2345865 and 2345866. Warangal: 0870-2426232 and 09701371063
New Delhi: 011-23342954; 23341072 and 23341074
Nizamuddin Delhi: 011-24359748.