Andhra Pradesh train accident: Toll rises to 13, over 33 trains cancelled, 6 rescheduled
The train accident was allegedly caused by human error after the Visakhapatnam-Rayagada passenger special collided with the Visakhapatnam-Palasa Passenger Special
- Andhra Pradesh
NewsTAP Bureau- Updated On:30 Oct 2023 7:45 AM GMT
VIZIANAGARAM: The death toll in the Vizianagaram train accident has gone up to 13 while rescue operations are still on, as per the District Revenue Officer (DRO).
According to officials, the accident took place at 7:10 pm on Sunday evening when two trains collided on the Howrah-Chennai line in Andhra Pradesh's Vizianagaram district, injuring approximately 50 passengers.
The train accident was allegedly caused by human error after the Visakhapatnam-Rayagada passenger special (08504) collided with the Visakhapatnam-Palasa Passenger Special (08532) after one of the drivers overshot a signal.
The collision occurred while the Vishakhapatnam-Palasa train was waiting on the Kothavalasa block's track between Alamanda and Kantakpalli railway stations. Four bogies from the second train derailed onto the adjacent track as a result of the accident.
According to the DRO, relief and rescue operations were still under way and was being carried out by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). The injured passengers were immediately rushed to Tirumala hospital, NRI hospital in Vizianagaram, and MIMS hospital Nellimarla in Vizianagaram.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy announces Rs. 10 lakh ex-gratia
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy announced ex-gratia compensation of Rs 10 lakh in case of death, Rs 2 lakh for grievous injuries, and Rs 50,000 for minor injuries for victims of the Rayagada Palasa train accident.
Jagan also would visit the train accident area at Kantakapalli in Vizianagaram district on Monday and take stock of the injured who undergoing treatment.
Several trains diverted, cancelled and rescheduled
Several trains were diverted, cancelled and rescheduled after the collision. Majority of Waltair Division trains were cancelled, diverted, briefly terminated, partially cancelled, and rescheduled between Kantakapalle and Alamanada stations.
According to Biswajit Sahu, East Coast Railway's Chief Public Relations Official in Bhubaneshwar, the accident resulted in 33 train cancellations, 24 diversions, and 11 partial cancellations.
