Fire on express train in India kills at least 26

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

By AIJAZ RAHI and NIRMALA GEORGE

KOTHACHERUVU, India (AP) - A fire engulfed a coach of an express train in southern India on Saturday, killing at least 26 passengers, many of whom became trapped and suffocated after the doors failed to open, officials said.

As the inferno and thick black smoke raced through the car at about 3:45 a.m., panicked passengers broke the windows and many saved themselves by jumping from the train.

Sixty-seven passengers were in the carriage when the fire broke out about 2 kilometers (1 mile) from the small town of Puttaparthi in Andhra Pradesh state, said railways spokesman C.S. Gupta.

The train was brought to a halt and the burning coach was delinked from the rest of the cars to prevent the fire from spreading, Gupta said.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20131228/DAAVFAEG3.html

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A policeman inspects the damage inside a train after an accident at Kothacheruvu, about 155 kilometers (96 miles) north of Bangalore, India, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2013. A fire engulfed two coaches of an express train in southern India early Saturday, killing at least two dozens, many of whom became trapped and suffocated after the doors failed to open, officials said. (AP Photo)

[liberal N proud]

1. Lucky the casualties were that small

Considering train travel in India.

[cosmicone]

2. Such fires usually kill air conditioned first class passengers

because the doors to such coaches are kept closed. Doors of the economy and non-AC coaches are generally never closed for ventilation.

Another clue is that there were only 67 passengers in the car when an economy car will contain over 200.

[840high]

3. Horrible.

[uppityperson]

4. k&r because I realize I've not been doing so, just reading, sighing, going on.

[former9thward]

5. This in a country that is starting a moon program.

I think they need to look at other priorities.