39 dead as Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar Express derails at AP

Helpline numbers at khurda control: 0674 2490670. Bhubaneswar station: 06742543360.Behrampur station:06802229632

39 persons were killed and over 60 injured after seven coaches and the engine of the Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar Express derailed near Kuneru station in Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh on Saturday night. The incident took place at 11 PM.

The Chief PRO of the East Coast Railway J P Mishra said, 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, he also said.

The Ministry for Railways tweeted, "Total 4 accident relief vans rushed from different places. Priority is treatment, shifting of injured passengers to nearest hospital. @sureshpprabhu personally monitoring situation, directed senior officials to reach site immediately, ensure prompt rescue and relief ops," the ministry also tweeted.

Meanwhile the Railways spokesperson said that relief and rescue operations are on in full swing. Efforts are on to provide medical assistance to victims, the spokesperson also said. All angles including sabotage will be investigated says Railways. Commissioner for Railways safety will probe into incident.

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh for kin of deceased. Compensation of Rs 50,000 has been announced for those seriously injured and Rs 25,000 for those with minor injuries.

The Ministry for Railways tweeted, "Total 4 accident relief vans rushed from different places. Priority is treatment, shifting of injured passengers to nearest hospital. @sureshpprabhu personally monitoring situation, directed senior officials to reach site immediately, ensure prompt rescue and relief ops," the ministry also tweeted.

OneIndia News