World | India
Trapped in train by physical disability
Among the most tragic deaths in the fire accident on the Gautami Express was that of three physically challenged people, including two women. They were fast asleep on their berths and unlike many others were not even able to run for safety when the fire was noticed.
- IANS
- Published: 00:09 August 3, 2008
Hyderabad: Among the most tragic deaths in the fire accident on the Gautami Express was that of three physically challenged people, including two women. They were fast asleep on their berths and unlike many others were not even able to run for safety when the fire was noticed.
The fire struck early Friday morning, cutting short many promising lives, shattering many a dream and adding to the misery of hapless families of the victims.
The three - V. Satyanarayana (40), E. K. Manga (23) and C. Shantakumari (36) - hail from East Godavari district and were returning home along with three other physically challenged people after attending a five-day training programme organised by a non-governmental organisation in Hyderabad.
They were among 32 people killed in the massive fire that broke out on the ill-fated train that was going from Secunderabad to Kakinada town in coastal Andhra.
Three other physically challenged people of the group were rescued by other passengers and some policemen.
This group of physically challenged had covered a long distance to come to the state capital in the hope that the skill development training programme would help them improve their living conditions, but their return journey turned into a nightmare.
The survivors included group head B. Subbayamma, 38, the coordinator of the Vikalangula Pratyeka Pratibha Trust (VPPT), an NGO. "I took them for the training programme to improve their living conditions, but never imagined that this tragedy was waiting to happen," said Subbayamma at the MGM Hospital in Warangal, where she is undergoing treatment.
"Their cries for help and our disability to come out of the burning compartment will haunt me for the rest of my life. I don't know how I will face their families," she said, suffering from the shock.
Fate unknown
Family waits for news
There was still no word yesterday afternoon about two employees of Google who went missing after the fire on the Gautami Express.
Hari Shankar, 28, and his wife Roshni Mukherjee, both employees of Google India Private Limited in Hyderabad, were travelling by the ill-fated train along with their colleague, who escaped with minor injuries.
"We have not yet received any information about them and we are worried about their safety," Shankar's uncle S. Natrajan said.
Since 29 of the 31 people killed in the mishap were charred beyond recognition, their families fear the worst. The rescue workers could only collect skulls and bones of the victims from the wreckage.
The couple, who married last year, was going to Kakinada on a weekend trip with their friend.
- IANS
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