Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Monday condoled the death of 35 people who were burnt alive in the New Delhi-Chennai Tamil Nadu Express and directed the railway ministry to coordinate relief work.
"PM condoles the deaths in a rail accident near Nellore, asks Railway Ministry to coordinate relief work with the state government," a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said.
The fire broke out in the S11 coach of the train between 4.30 a.m. and 4.45 a.m. minutes after the Chennai-bound train passed through Nellore railway station in south coastal Andhra Pradesh, about 450 km from Hyderabad.
The cause of the fire, suspected to be an electric short-circuit, is being ascertained. Twenty-seven injured passengers are undergoing treatment at various hospitals in Nellore.
The government has announced a compensation of Rs.5 lakh each for the families of the dead and Rs.1 lakh each for those seriously injured.