Rayagada: Three railway employees perished in the fire that engulfed the engine of 18005 Howrah-Jagdalpur-Samaleswari Express after the train hit a tower car engaged in repair work between Keutguda and Singapur Road here at around 4:30 pm on Tuesday.
The deceased have been identified as a technician of the maintenance tower car Suresh, senior Rayagada section engineer, electrical, Sagar and technician, electrical, Gouri Naidu.
According to railway sources, front guard-cum-luggage van and a general second class coach also got derailed under the impact of the accident.
The engine was later detached from the Samaleswari rake and fire tenders engaged to douse the flames. An ambulance was rushed to the spot.
The train was later taken back to Rayagada at 6.22 pm with another engine attached to its rear, the sources further said.
Following the accident, station masters on duty at Keutguda and Singapur Road were suspended. The Commissioner of Railway Safety, Kolkata, has also ordered an inquiry into the incident, the sources added.
