Toll rises to 26 in train mishap

December 28, 2013

Anantpur, Dec 28: 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 said.

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.

Earlier report:

23 killed as Nanded-Bangalore Express catches fire, Rs. 5 lakh compensation announced

train

kharge
Anantapuram, Dec 28: As many as 23 people were feared killed and several others were injured when a fire broke out in a coach of the Nanded-Bangalore Express in Anantapuram district of Andhra Pradesh on Saturday morning.

The mishap took place near the Kothacheruvu railway station in Anantapur district bordering Karnataka at around 3.30am. Passengers told TV channels they were sleeping when somebody noticed smoke in the B1 AC coach and pulled the emergency chain to stop the train.

Passengers then climbed out of the train when it was still dark and the coach was on fire. According to rescue workers and TV channels, 12 injured passengers were being treated in hospitals in Dharmavaram, Puttaparthi and Anantapur hospitals.

CS Gupta, a spokesperson for South Western Railways, confirmed 15 deaths and said casualties could rise. Gupta said most passengers seemed to have choked to death in the smoke that engulfed the coach.

According to NDTV reports, the train had left Bangalore at 10:45 pm on Friday and was headed for Nanded. It had about 64 passengers, mostly from Karnataka, on board. The fire broke out when the train was near the Prasanthi Nilayam ashram.

Sananda Aruna, additional divisional railway manager, said the fire was doused but identifying the dead would take time because the passenger lists were burnt.

"It is a frightening scene inside the coach. Many are charred, beyond recognition, to death," said Raghuveera Reddy, Andhra Pradesh state revenue minister and the local MLA who visited the site. The local MP has also visited the accident site.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has directed Railways and state government authorities to extend all possible help to the victims in rescue and relief operations.

A compensation of Rs. 5 lakh for the dead and Rs. 50,000 for the injured has been announced by railways minister M Mallikarjun Kharge.

Helpline numbers

Bangalore: 08022354108, 08022259271, 08022156554, 08022156553

Railways: 9731666863

Earlier report:
Nanded-Bangalore express catches fire, at least 23 killed

train

Anantapur (AP), Dec 28: At least 23 people, including two children, were charred to death when an AC coach of Nanded-Bangalore Express caught fire in the district early today.

The fire broke out at 3:30 AM at Kothacheravu railway station between Pennukonda and Dharmavaram stations.

"Rescue operations are underway. 23 persons including two children were charred to death in the accident,", District Collector, Anantapur, Lokesh Kumar told reporters.

Senior Railway officials have rushed to the spot and relief and medical team have been pressed into service, the collector said.

Railway officials suspect that the incident occurred due to a short-circuit.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has expressed shock and grief over the loss of lives in the fire accident.

He also spoke to Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge and inquired about the steps being taken for rescue and relief work at the accident site.

Describing the incident as "tragic" and "most unfortunate", Kharge ordered an enquiry into the incident by Commissioner of Railway Safety.

The Railway Minister announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased, Rs 1 lakh in case of grievous injuries and Rs 50,000 for simple injuries.

He has also asked senior railway officials such as Member Electrical and Director General Health to rush to the spot.

Chairman, Railway Board, Arunendra Kumar said the reason behind the accident is yet to be ascertained.

However, prima facie there could be two reasons - one is short circuit and the other presence of inflammable material.

The magnitude of the accident suggests that short circuit was unlikely, he said.

Asked whether it could be inflammable material, he said it could be and the inquiry would go into it.

"We have asked for forensic experts from Bangalore and Hyderabad to examine the site," he said.

The Railway Minister and the Railway Board Chairman are rushing to the site.

The affected coach has been detached and train has resumed its onward journey.

The Railways have also set up helpline numbers to disseminate latest information to passengers and family members of the affected.

The Bangalore numbers are -- 080 22354108, 080 22259271, 080 22156551 and 080 22156554.

Helpline at SSP Nilayam station are -- 085 552 80125 and 097 31666863.

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News Network
September 17,2024

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Mangaluru: In an act of extraordinary selflessness, a young lecturer and mother, Archana Kamath, tragically passed away just days after donating a portion of her liver to a relative. She was 33.

Archana, who had devoted her career to shaping young minds as a lecturer at Canara College and most recently at Manel Srinivasa Nayak MBA College, was a loving mother to a four-year-old boy. Her sudden passing has left her family, students, and colleagues reeling in shock and grief.

The story of her untimely demise began when a relative of her husband, CA Chethan Kumar, required a life-saving liver transplant. 

With no other matching donors in sight, Archana stepped forward, her heart full of compassion. Her blood type matched, and without hesitation, she made the brave decision to donate a part of her liver—an act that would ultimately cost her life.

The surgery, performed 12 days ago in Bengaluru, seemed successful. Archana appeared to recover well and was discharged, bringing hope and relief to her loved ones. 

But just days after returning home, she suddenly fell ill and passed away on September 15 in a Mangaluru hospital. The cause of her sudden decline remains a mystery, compounding the sorrow of those who knew and loved her.

Her final act of love saved a life—the relative who received her liver is said to be recovering well. But Archana’s loss is felt deeply by her husband and their young son, who are now left to navigate a world without her warmth and strength.

As family and friends grapple with this tragic turn of events, Archana’s memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew her as a caring educator, devoted mother, and a woman whose ultimate sacrifice was made out of love.

The full story of her passing is still unfolding, and her untimely death has left an irreplaceable void in the lives of all who knew her.
 

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News Network
September 14,2024

Bengaluru: Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Saturday said the situation in violence-hit Nagamangala town in Mandya district is peaceful now, and steps have been taken to ensure that no untoward incidents take place.

Clashes had broken out between two groups during the Ganesh idol procession in the town, following which mobs went on a rampage with stone pelting and targeting several shops and vehicles leading to tension on Wednesday night.

"Situation in Nagamangala is now peaceful and there is no problem there. I have also instructed officials to hold a peace meeting there. We have instructed officers to ensure that no untoward incidents take place, enough police force is also stationed there," Parameshwara told reporters here.

About 55 people have been arrested in connection with the incident and they have been sent to judicial custody, according to police sources.

Responding to a question on opposition parties including JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy raising doubts about the FIR, he said, "The police will do what has to be done in accordance with law..."

Asked about BJP sending a fact finding team to Nagamangala, the Home Minister said, "Let them find the facts and inform us, and if there is any fact from their fact finding, we will look into it. It will make our work a bit easier." The BJP panel consisting of MLA C N Ashwath Narayan, former Minister Byrathi Basavaraj, former Minister K C Narayana Gowda, state secretary Lakshmi Ashwin Gowda, and former IPS officer Bhaskar Rao, will visit the spot and submit a comprehensive report to the party in a week.

According to police, an argument had broken out between two groups, when the Ganesh idol procession by devotees from Badri Koppalu village reached a place of worship on Wednesday, and some miscreants hurled stones, which escalated the situation.

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News Network
September 20,2024

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New Delhi: The Supreme Court today sought a report from the Karnataka High Court over controversial remarks made by Justice Vedavyasachar Srishananda during a recent court hearing.

Justice Srishananda, while addressing a landlord-tenant dispute, referred to a Muslim-majority area in Bengaluru as "Pakistan" and made a misogynistic comment involving a woman lawyer. 

A five-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, along with Justices S Khanna, B R Gavai, S Kant, and H Roy, expressed the need for establishing clear guidelines for constitutional court judges regarding their remarks in court. 

The Supreme Court bench said that when social media plays an active role in monitoring and amplifying courtroom proceedings, there is an urgency to ensure judicial commentary aligns with the decorum expected from courts of law.

"Our attention has been drawn to some comments made by Karnataka High Court judge Justice V Srishananda during the conduct of judicial proceedings. We have asked the AG and SG to assist us. We ask the registrar general of the High Court to submit a report to this court after seeking administrative directions from the Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court. This exercise may be carried out in 2 weeks," the top court directed.

Videos of Justice Srishanananda have gone viral on social media.

In one video, he refers to a Muslim-dominated locality in Bengaluru as "Pakistan" and on another video he was seen making objectionable comments against a woman lawyer. In the second incident, Justice Srishanananda can be heard telling the woman lawyer that she seemed to know a lot about the "opposition party", so much so that she might be able to reveal the colour of their undergarments.

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