ANDHRA PRADESH: A horrifying rail accident in Andhra Pradesh has left 13 people dead and 40 injured after a passenger train overshot a signal and collided with another train on the Howrah-Chennai line. The incident unfolded last evening, sending shockwaves through the region.
The unfortunate mishap occurred when a special passenger train running between Visakhapatnam and Palasa was operating at a restricted speed on the main line between Alamanda and Kantakapalle, due to the absence of a signal. In a catastrophic turn of events, the Vizag-Rayagada passenger train collided with it from behind. As a result, the last three coaches of the Visakhapatnam-Palasa train and the locomotive of the Visakhapatnam-Rayagada passenger train, along with two coaches derailed. One of the coaches came to rest on top of a goods train wagon.
Last night, the death toll stood at 9 but it has tragically rose to 13. Vizianagaram Collector Nagalakshmi confirmed this update and expressed hope that rescue efforts would be completed by the morning. Additionally, at least 40 individuals sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment at various hospitals.
In the wake of the accident, 18 trains have been cancelled, and 22 others were diverted. Biswajit Sahu, the PRO, suggested that the accident might be attributed to the Vizag-Rayagada loco pilot, who tragically lost his life in the collision. Railway sources had initially hinted that the signaling may not have been noticed by the loco pilot.
Images from the accident site depicted the derailed coaches and concerned onlookers. The site, excluding the derailed and affected coaches, was cleared by midnight, as confirmed by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Chief Minister YSR Jagan Mohan Reddy has announced financial assistance for the affected families, with ₹10 lakh for the families of the deceased, ₹2.5 lakh for those who suffered serious injuries, and ₹50,000 for passengers with minor injuries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his condolences and pledged an additional ₹2 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had a conversation with Chief Minister Reddy, who expressed deep shock over the accident and ordered all necessary arrangements for the treatment of the injured. CM Reddy has also sought regular updates on the incident. Meanwhile, the Delhi railway ministry’s war room is actively monitoring the situation, and the East Coast Railway has released helpline numbers (Bhubaneswar – 0674-2301625, 2301525, 2303069, and Waltair – 0891-2885914) for assistance.
