At least 13 people were killed and over 40 others were injured after two trains collided in Andhra Pradesh’s Vizanagaram on Sunday night.
A special passenger train between Visakhapatnam and Palasa was on restricted speed on the main line between Alamanda and Kantakapalle due to no signal when a Vizag-Rayagada passenger train hit it from behind.
The last three coaches of the Visakhapatnam-Palasa train and the locomotive of the Visakhapatnam-Rayagada passenger train along with two coaches, got derailed, DRM Saurabh Prasad told the media. One coach derailed and rested on a goods train wagon on one side.
The death count increased to 13 from nine last night, hoping to complete the rescue efforts by this morning.
At least 40 were injured and are being treated at various hospitals.
Eighteen trains have been cancelled so far and 22 diverted this morning.
According to officials, the accident may have occurred due to the fault of the Vizag-Rayagada loco pilot, who died in the impact of the collision.
Railways sources had earlier said that signalling may not have been noticed by the loco pilot.
Pictures from the site last evening showed the coaches derailed and people crowding around. Except the derailed and affected coaches, the site was cleared by midnight, said Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Chief Minister YSR Jagan Mohan Reddy has announced financial assistance of ₹ 10 lakh for the family of those who died. Those who suffered serious injuries will get ₹ 2.5 lakh and passengers with minor injuries will get ₹ 50,000.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reviewed the situation and condoled the loss of lives. He announced another ₹ 2 lakh assistance for the family of those who died in the accident and ₹ 50,000 for the injured.
The railway minister also spoke to Chief Minister Reddy, who expressed deep shock over the accident and ordered all arrangements to be made to ensure treatment of the injured.
CM Reddy has also sought time-to-time update on the incident.
The war room in Delhi railway ministry is monitoring the situation, said the Railways source. The East Coast Railway has released helpline numbers (Bhubaneswar – 0674-2301625, 2301525, 2303069, and Waltair – 0891-2885914.)
Nearly five months ago, a horrific accident involving three trains killed over 280 passengers in Odisha. The Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express and a goods train were involved in the accident on June 2 near the Bahanaga Bazar station.
(Inputs from Agencies)
