Vizianagaram: As many as 13 passengers died and 50 others were injured after two trains collided in Andhra Pradesh’s Vizianagaram district on Sunday. The passenger train was going to Rayagada from Visakhapatnam.
The derailment of passenger trains between Alamanda and Kantakapalle in the Vizianagaram-Kottavalasa Railway Section of Waltair Division of East Coast Railway Zone happened at about 7 pm in the evening.
13 people died, 50 injured
Collector S Nagalakshmi said, "Thirteen passengers have been killed in the gruesome accident that occurred at Kantakapalli railway station in Vizianagaram district. As of now, the rescue teams have noticed that eight passengers are died and 50 are injured. The injured are shifted to Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram district hospitals. Collector and SP M Deepika and Minister Botsa Satyanarayana and other officials reached the spot and are supervising the rescue operations."
Helpline numbers
Helpline numbers for Visakhapatnam Railway Station regarding train derailment between Alamanda and Kantakapalle are the following:
- Railway no: 83003, 83004, 83005 and 83006.
- BSNL no: 08912746330 and 08912744619
- Airtel: 8106053051, 8106053052
- BSNL sim: 8500041670 and 8500041671
The East Coast Railway has released helpline numbers. "Helpline Number regarding Train Accident between Alamanda and Kantakapalle in Vizianagaram-Kottavalasa Rly secn of Waltair Divn of ECoR in Howrah-Chennai Main Line. Bhubaneswar - 0674-2301625, 2301525, 2303069, Waltair - 0891- 2885914," the East Coast Railway said in X post.
What Indian Railways said?
The 08504 Visakhapatnam-Rayagada Passenger train collided with the 08532 Visakhapatnam-Palasa Passenger train. According to railway officials, the collision led to the derailment of two coaches of the Visakhapatnam-Rayagada train from the rear and the loco of the Visakhapatnam-Rayagada Passenger.
The rescue operations are underway with DRM/Waltair and his team are on the spot. "Accident Relief Trains and other rescue equipments have been engaged and Helpline Numbers have been issued," it said.
"Bogies derailed after a train travelling along with passengers from Vizianagaram to Raigad hit a passenger train travelling on the same route Vishakapatnam to Palasa," East Central Railway CPRO said.
"Injuries reported but figures yet to be known. Two trains were involved in the accident. The rescue and restoration process is on," the railway official added.
Reason for train accident
As per the initial reports, the likely reason for the train collision is human error, specifically the overshooting of a signal by the Visakhapatnam-Rayagada passenger train.
Andhra CM on accident
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed deep shock over the Kantakapalli train accident incident in Vizianagaram district. He ordered the officials to take quick-relief measures and ensure that the injured get prompt medical services. The Chief Minister advised to send as many ambulances as possible from the nearby districts of Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli and make all kinds of arrangements to provide medical treatment in the nearby hospitals.
"The CM expressed deep shock over the Kantakapalli train accident incident in Vizianagaram district. He ordered the officials to take quick relief measures and ensure that the injured get prompt medical services," the CMO said in a post on X.
"The Chief Minister advised to send as many ambulances as possible from the nearby districts of Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli and make all kinds of arrangements to provide medical treatment in the nearby hospitals. The details regarding the incident should be reported to him from time to time," it added.
PM Modi takes stock of situation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and took stock of the situation. "PM Modi spoke to Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw and took stock of the situation in the wake of the unfortunate train derailment between Alamanda and Kantakapalle section," PMO said in a post on X.
"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," the X post said.
President Droupadi Murmu said that she was anguished that the derailment of a passenger train in the Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh caused loss of lives. In a post on X, she said, "My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured."
Railway Minister dials CM Reddy
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also spoke to the Andhra CM and said that the situation is currently under control. The Chief Minister informed the Railway Minister about the steps taken to help the train accident victims.
Ex-gratia
Andhra Pradesh CM Reddy said that an aid of Rs 10 lakh each will be given to the kin of those dead in the Vizianagaram train accident. The families of those who died and belonged to other states will be given Rs 2 lakh each. Passengers who are from other states will get Rs 2 lakh each and passengers with serious injuries belonging to other states will get Rs 50,000 each.
The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has 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.
Political leaders reaction
NCP chief Sharad Pawar in a X post express condolences over the tragic train accident. "Deeply anguished to learn about the colliding of 2 trains in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. My sincere condolences to the family of the deceased and prayers for the quick recovery of those injured. Railway ministry should take up railway safety as its top priority and make sure such accidents don’t happen in future," he said.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said that he is deeply distressed by the train collision in Vizianagaram, which is coming just months after the tragic Balasore train accident. "Deeply distressed by the train collision in Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh, coming just months after the tragic Balasore #TrainAccident in June 2023. My heart goes out to the families of the victims, and I wish a speedy recovery for the injured," he said in an X post.
"With a significant number of Indians relying on railways for their commute, it's alarming to witness such incidents in quick succession. It's imperative for the union government and the railways to urgently reevaluate and enhance train safety measures, ensuring the trust and safety of passengers is upheld," he added.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed concern over the train accident in Andhra Pradesh's Vizianagaram district, saying that "this is becoming a most unfortunate repetitive trope".
"Another disastrous rail collision, this time in Vizianagaram district in Andhra Pradesh, involving two passenger trains, and causing until now at least 8 deaths and injury of at least 25 more," she said.
"Frontal collisions between trains, derailment of compartments, helpless passengers trapped in coaches and succumbing to fate: this is becoming a most unfortunate repetitive trope!! Solidarity to the kin of victims, demand for most expeditious rescue actions and inquiry forthwith! When will the railways come out of slumber?" she added.
Reacting to the train accident, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that what happened was "very sad". In a post on X, he wrote, "My condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in this accident. I pray to God that those who have been injured should recover soon and return to their homes." He further said the frequent occurrence of such train accidents in the country was extremely worrying.
Balasore train accident
This incident happened months after the horrific three-train collision in Odisha that killed over 280. Earlier in June, the Coromandel Express crashed into a stationary freight train at Bahanaga Bazar station in Balasore. At least 293 people were killed and over 1,200 people were injured in the accident.
The train tragedy happened on June 2 this year at around 7 pm when the Coromandel Express crashed into a stationary goods train, derailing most of its coaches near the Bahanaga Bazar station in Odisha. A few coaches of the Coromandel Express whiplashed the last few coaches of the Bengaluru-Howrah Express which was passing by at the same time.
