Train catches fire in Andhra Pradesh, toll rises to 26

ANANTPUR: With three more bodies recovered from the charred AC coach of Bangalore-Nanded Express, the toll in the mishap has risen to 26.

"So far 26 persons have died in the incident. Rescue operations are still going on," Anantpur District SP S Senthil Kumar told PTI.

The fire broke out at 3:30 AM in the B1 coach packed with 64 passengers at Kothacheravu Railway Station.

A majority of the passengers were sleeping when the fire broke out.

Forensic teams from Hyderabad are on their way the spot to collect samples for analysis.

Most of the injured have been treated as out patients in different hospitals, he said.

District Medical and Health Officials said they are conducting autopsy of the deceased at the accident spot.

Dr C Ramasubba Rao, DM and HO said femur (thighbone) of the deceased will be preserved for DNA test as the bodies were charred beyond recognition.

This is the second train mishap in the district.In March last year, 25 passengers were killed, near Penukonda in the district when the Bangalore-bound Hampi Express rammed into a stationary goods train after its driver apparently overshot the signal near the station here in the wee hours.