Andhra Rail Accident: Human Error Likely Reason Behind Tragedy; PM Modi Reviews Situation | Updates – News18

At least eight persons died and around 20 were injured after two trains collided in Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh on Sunday evening.

08532 Visakhapatnam-Palasa Passenger train and 08504 Visakhapatnam-Rayagada Passenger Special were involved in this incident which took place between Alamanda and Kantakapalli in Vizianagaram-Kottavalasa Railway Section of Waltair Division of East Coast Railway Zone at about 7 pm.

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed that the rescue operations are underway at the site.

Dr S Appala Naidu, Superintendent of the Government General Hospital In-Charge, Vizianagaram 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.”

This is the third train accident in the past six months in which people lost their lives. Earlier this month, at least four died and around 90 passengers were injured after six coaches of North-East Superfast Express derailed in Bihar’s Buxar.

On June 2, at least 291 passengers were killed and almost a thousand were injured in the Balasore train accident. Involving three trains, including two passenger trains, the mishap is considered the worst train accident in the last two decades.

Andhra Rail Accident

• East Coast Railway’s Chief Public Relation Officer (CPRO) said human error is the likely reason behind the tragedy.
• East Coast Railway CPRO 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.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and reviewed the situation.
• The Prime Minister also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs 50,000.
• The Railway Minister informed that he spoke to Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and state government and railway teams are working in close coordination.
• The Andhra Pradesh CM 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.
• The Chief Minister also 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.
• The Andhra Pradesh chief minister announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs 10 lakhs for the dead and Rs 2 lakhs for those seriously injured. If the deceased belong to other states, their families will receive Rs 2 lakh each and injured persons will get Rs 50,000 assistance.
• A helpline number regarding the train accident has been released by the East Coast Railways. Bhubaneswar – 0674-2301625, 2301525, 2303069 Waltair – 0891- 2885914
• Two trains have been cancelled while several have been diverted due to an accident between 08532 Visakhapatnam-Palasa Passenger with 08504 Visakhapatnam-Rayagada.