Samleswari Express engine catches fire, no casualties

The engine of up Howrah- Jagadalpur Samaleswari Express caught fire after hitting a tower car in Odisha's Rayagada district Tuesday but there were no casualties, Railway officials said. The incident occurred after the engine, front guard cum luggage van and a general second class coach of the train was derailed after hitting a tower car engaged in some work, an East Coast Railway spokesperson said.

The engine caught fire after it hit the tower car and was detached from the rake, the spokesperson said. Only the engine was affected and the train and the passengers remained unaffected in the mishap which took place between Singapur Road and Keutaguda stations, he said.

Fire brigade and ambulance were rushed to the site and senior Railway officers from Visakhapatnam were also sent. The station masters on duty at Keutguda and Singapur Road have been placed under suspension, he said.

Steps have been taken for the detached train to return to Rayagada, the sources said.