Passenger trains collide in Andhra Pradesh, at least 6 killed and several injured

At least 6 killed and more than 25 injured after a passenger train en route from Visakhapatnam in Andra Pradesh to Rayagada in Odisha derailed in Vizianagaram district on Sunday. Official confirmation still awaited with regards to casualty figure. The cause of the accident yet to be ascertained. This is the third major train accident in less than four months since the devastating Balasore train tragedy that happened in June this year claiming at least 288 lives.

“There was a rear collision between the Visakhapatnam-Palasa passenger train and the Visakhapatnam-Ragada passenger train. 3 coaches were involved in the accident and 10 injured. Rescue operations are underway, Local administration and NDRF were informed for assistance and ambulances. Accident relief trains reached site”, said the Divisional Railway Manager.

One of the trains was running between Vizianagaram and Raigada in Odisha. Meanwhile, the other train was traveling from Vishakapatnam to Palasa in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that PM Modi has reviewed the situation and rescue operations are underway. “Rescue operations are underway. All passengers shifted. PM @narendramodi Ji reviewed the situation. Spoke to the CM of Andhra Pradesh, state govt and railway teams are working in close coordination.”said Vaishnaw, taking to ‘X’.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy ordered rapid relief measures, including dispatching as many ambulances as possible from Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli, Vizianagaram's adjacent districts, and making all necessary arrangements in nearby hospitals to provide medical care. Orders for other departments of the government such as the health, police and revenue to take cognizance of relief measures and ensure that the injured people get medical treatment have been issued. In addition, the CM has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh each to the kin of the deceased and Rs 2 lakh each to the injured from the State and a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each to the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each to the injured from others states.

Union Railway Minister Aswini Vaishnaw telephoned the Chief Minister enquiring about the accident. “The Chief Minister informed him that rescue teams have been sent to the accident site and Education Minister B.Satyanarayana, District Collector and the SP are supervising the relief and rescue operations”, claim sources within the state government.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister’s Office informed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the Railway Minister and took stock of the situation in the wake of the train derailment between Alamanda and Kantakapalle section. “Authorities are providing all possible assistance to those affected. The Prime Minister extends condolences to the bereaved families and prays that the injured recover soon.”notified the Prime Minister’s Office in a statement.

All the injured have been rushed to nearby hospitals. Ambulances have been rushed to the spot. Railways have announced helpline numbers:
Srikakulam Station, Railway phone - 0891- 2885911, 0891- 2885912, 0891- 2885913, 0891- 2885914
BSNL number- 08942286245, 08942286213
Bhubaneswar - 0674-2301625, 2301525, 2303069
Waltair - 0891- 2885914
Eluru-08812232267
Samalkot-08842327010
Rajahmundry -08832420541
Tuni- 08854-252172

A number of trains have been cancelled as a result of the ongoing rescue and relief efforts on the route following the train incident. Several trains' routes have been shortened or rerouted as a result of the incident.