Tamil Nadu Express fire: Chiranjeevi visits Nellore station
Nellore Jul 30: Tollywood superstar and Praja Rajyam supremo Chiranjeevi on Monday, Jul 30 visited Nellore station to enquire the present condition of the victims and other passengers of the Tamil Nadu Express which caught fire where at least 47 were dead and many more injured.
A short circuit in one of the coaches caused the fire, sources said. As per reports, the fire was first noticed by the deputy station master when the train was passing by the Nellore station in Hyderabad around 4:28 am. The station master immediately raised an alarm over the fire in the S-11 sleeper coach and brought the train to a halt.
The actor cum politician visited Nellore station just after the news that the Chennai-Delhi bound train reached Chennai Central station, minus the gutted boggy. A team of Railway doctors also reached Nellore to attend injured passengers. The medical team carried essential medical supplies along with them.
According to CPRO of the South Central Railway Sambasiva Rao, “It is too early to comment on the cause of fire. Rescue operations are on. Only one coach was affected in the fire. Nearly 25 people were injured. They have all been admitted to a nearby hospital. A special train will leave from Chennai to Nellore at 9.30 am for rescue operations.”
The Indian Railway has announced Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia relief to the relatives of the dead. Andhra Pradesh CM Kiran Kumar Reddy has promised all help from the district administration. Railway Minister Mukul Roy and Chairman of the Railway Board are expected to visit the accident site shortly.