Udupi, Dec 30, 2013: Three persons hailing from Udupi but residing in Chennai, were among the 26 ill-fated passengers who lost their lives in the tragic fire which engulfed the AC bogies of the Bangalore Nanded Express at Ananthpur District of Andhra Pradesh on December 28.
They have been identified as Ramananda Rao (64), Sudha (58) and Leela (60). It is learnt, the three were part of an eight member group which on way to Mantralaya. Three others of their group namely Dhanushree, Vijitha and Natesh are injured and are undergoing treatment at a hospital, while two others Umesh and Vivek were lucky enough to escape unhurt.
Of the three from Udupi who died, Leela who was serving the Tamil Nadu Health Department had recently retired from service. Her daughter Sumana Rao resides in Padubidri. The family has rushed to Bangalore following the tragedy.