39 Dead As Hirakhand Express Derails in Andhra Pradesh

The Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar Express derailed in Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh. (Photo: ANI screengrab)

At least 39 people have been killed and over 100 are believed to be injured after the Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar Hirakhand Express derailed in Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh, officials said, early on Sunday morning.

The incident took place around 11 pm last night, when the train was on its way to Bhubaneswar from Jagdalpur.

Seven coaches and the engine of the 18448 Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar Express derailed near Kuneru station. Besides the engine, the luggage van, two general coaches, two sleeper coaches, one AC three tier coach and an AC two tier coach derailed.

J P Mishra, Chief PRO, East Coast Railway

Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu visited the accident site to take stock of the situation. He said that there will be a probe and the defaulters will be punished.

Prabhu has announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the kin of the deceased.

An additional Rs 5 lakh compensation has been announced by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu for the families of the people lost.

Those seriously injured can claim a compensation of Rs 50,000, and those with minor injuries will be eligible for a compensation of Rs 25,000 being offered by Railways. Railway Ministry sources haven’t ruled out sabotage as a cause for the tragedy.

Rayagada Sub-collector Muralidhar Swain said that the number of injured could be around 100. The casualty figure may go up as many people are trapped, he added.

The injured have been shifted to 2 hospitals in Parbatipuram and Rayagada.

A team of doctors has reached the accident site. District administration of both Vijayanagaram and Rayagada are taking active part in rescue operations, said Mishra.

Services have been affected on Rayagada and Vijayanagaram route, with several trains being diverted.

Odisha Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik has commented on the tragedy, expressing grief.