Vizianagaram Train Accident: At Least 8 Dead, Rescue Operation Underway

At least eight persons died and around 40 were injured after two trains collided in Vizianagaram district on the Howrah-Chennai line on Sunday evening, a police official said.

A senior official of the East Coast Railway said the Palasa Passenger hit the Rayagada Passenger from behind at Kankatapalli, which caused three coaches to derail. East Coast Railway CPRO said that the accident took place between Alamanda and Kantakapalli in Vizianagaram-Kottavalasa Railway Section of Waltair Division of East Coast Railway Zone at around 7 pm.

The incident involved three coaches, resulting in 18 injuries. Rescue operations are currently in progress, with the local administration and NDRF notified to provide assistance and ambulances. Accident relief trains have arrived at the site.

A senior Railway official meanwhile said 18-20 people were injured, adding that the injured are being shifted to hospitals in Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram. Dr S Appala Naidu, Superintendent of the Government General Hospital In-Charge, Vizianagaram, spoke to PTI and said, "Ambulances have been sent to the accident sites and as of now we have received 20 injured people, out of which, three are serious.More ambulances are on the way so the number of injured persons might increase."

The doctor added, "We haven't received any bodies in the hospital as of now. However, there are reports of death of some passengers too.

"The officials said that train number 08532 Visakhapatnam-Palasa Passenger train and 08504 Visakhapatnam-Rayagada Passenger Special were involved in the accident and said that the Rayagada passenger had overshot the signal.

Two Coaches of 08532 Visakhapatnam-Palasa Passenger train from the rear and the loco of 08504 Visakhapatnam-Rayagada Passenger got derailed, the official added.

Rescue operations are underway with DRM/Waltair and his Team on the spot. Accident Relief Trains and other rescue equipments have been engaged, the official said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he has spoken to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and took stock of the situation in the wake of the unfortunate train derailment between Alamanda and Kantakapalle section.

"Authorities are providing all possible assistance to those affected. The Prime Minister extends condolences to the bereaved families and prays that the injured recover soon," he said.

The Prime Minister has also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased due to the train derailment between Alamanda and Kantakapalle section. The injured would be given Rs 50,000, his office said on X.

Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed shock over the train accident and ordered officials to provide assistance to those injured in the incident, a statement from his office said.

"CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy ordered to take immediate relief measures and to send as many ambulances as possible from Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli, the nearest districts of Vizianagaram, and to make all kinds of arrangements in nearby hospitals to provide good medical care," Andhra Pradesh CMO stated.

"The chief minister has issued orders to coordinate other government departments including health, police and revenue to take quick-relief measures and ensure that the injured receive prompt medical services," it added.

On the other hand, the Railway Minister Ashwini said that all injured shifted to hospitals. "Ex-gratia compensation disbursement started - ₹10 Lakh in case of death, ₹2 Lakh towards grievous and ₹50,000 for minor injuries," he said on X.