14 killed, several injured
At least 14 people died and several others were injured after a passenger train travelling from Visakhapatnam to Rayagada derailed in Andhra Pradesh on Sunday.
Collision
The incident took place after the train collided with the Visakhapatnam-Palasa passenger train near Kothavalasa railway station in Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh.
How accident took place?
Third major train accident
Since June 2023, this was the third rail accident. Earlier this year, the Coromandel Express crashed into a stationary freight train in Odisha’s Balasore, killing 296 people and injuring 1,200. On October 11, five people died and 30 were injured when the Delhi-Ka makhya North East Express derailed in Bihar’s Buxar.
Toll likely to increase
The toll may increase as some passengers were undergoing treatment and some of them were in critical condition.
Locals come to rescue
Locals from nearby Kantakapalle village quickly initiated relief and rescue operations. They pulled out the trapped passengers and shifted the injured to hospitals.
Govt announces ex-gratia
The AP government announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh each to the kin of the deceased and Rs 2 lakh each to the injured natives of the state, and a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each to the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each to the injured passengers from other states.
Human error behind accident?
An inquiry into the accident has been ordered, as the exact cause remains unclear. According to preliminary information, the Visakhapatnam-Palasa train was moving slowly between Kantakapalle and Alamanda. The other train was also travelling on the same route.
Divisional Railway Manager says
Divisional Railway Manager of Waltair Division, Saurabh Prasad said that the loco pilot of Visakhapatnam- Rayagada train overshoot the signal and hit the Visakhapatnam- Palasa train which was head on the same track. There was no Kavach system on these two trains.