Tapaswini Express fire mishap: Two detained as authorities begin probe

Puri: The East Coast Railway (ECoR) authorities have initiated a probe into the fire mishap in Puri-Hatia Tapaswini Express which destroyed at least three bogies of the train on Friday.

According to sources, a high-level team constituted to conduct probe into the incident has already begun investigation by taking into all aspects of the mishap; whether it was an accident due to some short circuit or deliberate act of some mischief mongers.

The probe team reportedly has collected samples of burnt seats, electrical equipments and other materials while CCTV footages are also being thoroughly inspected to ascertain suspicious activities or any movements before or during the fire mishap.

Senior officials of the Railways informed that patrolling personnel present during the mishap are also being interrogated to see whether all the doors of the train were shut down after routine cleanliness and other maintenance work.

Officials and staff on-duty at the time of the incident have also been brought into the purview of the investigation, informed IIC of Khurda Road GRP.

As many as three bogies of the Tapaswini Express were gutted after a major fire broke out in the train while it was stationed on platform no-4 of Puri railway station yesterday. However, no casualties were reported as the coaches were empty.