3 killed, 22 injured as Gurudev Exp derails

Visakhapatnam, June 12 (UNI) Three persons were killed and 22 injured, eight of them seriously, when 11 coaches of the Nagercoil-Howrah Gurudev Express derailed near Duvvada railway station, about 30 km from here last night.

The victims were identified as Veerandhra Jena (61), S Jena (35) of Orissa and M Prasada Rao (51) of Visakhapatnam city.

The injured were admitted to King George hospital, Railway hospital here and the NTR government hospital in Anakapalle.

Railway Commercial Controller P V S Rao told UNI that over 600 passengers were in the train when the incident occurred at around 2300 hrs.

A special train had been sent to the mishap site to bring back the stranded passengers.

Railway Divisional Manager Indra Ghosh rushed to mishap spot and visited various hospitals where the injured were admitted.

Meanwhile, railway officials announced an immediate ex-gratia of Rs 15,000 to the family of those killed and Rs 500 for the injured.

A helpline-0891-2842949-has been opened in the city railway station.

A few trains, including Janamabhoomi Express, Simhardi Express, Ratnachal Express, Vijayawada-Rayagada passenger, Kakinada-Visakhapatnam passenger and Machilipatnam-Vijayawada passenger were camcelled, following the derailment.

All express trains were running two to three hours behind schedule, railway sources said.

UNI