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At least 14 people have died and 50 more are injured after two passenger trains collided in Andhra Pradesh's Vizianagaram district on Sunday night, 29 October. The accident took place between the Visakhapatnam-Palasa Passenger train and the Visakhapatnam-Rayagada Passenger Special on the Howrah-Chennai line.
A loco pilot and an assistant loco pilot are among the deceased. Three coaches were derailed due to the impact of the collision, according to a report by NDTV.
Wreckage of derailed coaches of two passenger trains after their collision on Sunday in Vizianagaram district.
Derailed coaches of two passenger trains following their collision that killed at least 13 people and injured several others, in Vizianagaram district.
Rescue and restoration work underway after multiple coaches of two passenger trains derailed following collision that killed at least 13 people and injured several others, in Vizianagaram district.
Aerial view of the train accident site.
Rescue and restoration work underway after multiple coaches of two passenger trains derailed following a collision on Sunday in Vizianagaram district.
Vaishnaw also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh to the kin of the deceased. Those who suffered grievous injuries in the train accident will receive Rs 2.5 lakh while passengers with minor injuries will get Rs 50,000.
An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased victims and Rs 50,000 for the injured will be distributed from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF), according to the PMO. The state government has also offered financial assistance to the victims.
In the wake of the Sunday night tragedy, the South Central Railway issued a notice cancelling the following trains:
Secunderabad-Manmad
Manmad-Secunderabad
Visakhapatnam-Tirupati
Tirupati-Visakhapatnam
The Visakhapatnam-Palasa Passenger train had halted on the tracks as there was no signal, NDTV reported. That's when the Visakhapatnam-Rayagada Passenger Special reportedly hit the stationary train.
Meanwhile, PTI reported that the mishap was a result of human error. “Likely reason: Human error. Overshooting of the signal by Visakhapatnam- Rayagada passenger train,” East Coast Railway (ECoR) CPRO Biswajit Sahoo was quoted as saying.
The Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express and a goods train were involved in the Odisha accident.
Expressing deep shock, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy said that he has instructed officials to carry out relief operations and coordinate with officials from health, revenue, police, and other government departments.
"The Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy will visit the train accident area at Kantakapalli in Vizianagaram district today. The Chief Minister will also visit the injured persons who are undergoing treatment in the hospitals. Officials are making the arrangements," the CMO tweeted.
Offering his condolences, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said, "My heart goes out to the families of the victims, and I wish a speedy recovery for the injured."
“With a significant number of Indians relying on railways for their commute, it's alarming to witness such incidents in quick succession. It's imperative for the union government and the railways to urgently reevaluate and enhance train safety measures, ensuring the trust and safety of passengers is upheld,” Stalin added.
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