13 dead as two passenger trains collide in Andhra, officials say driver missed red signal

On Monday morning, the death toll in the incident rose from Sunday night’s nine to 13.

Top Railway Ministry officials said the driver of the train that collided from the rear had missed the signal. “He crossed the red signal… It was a rear-end collision. The local train at the front was at a very low speed, almost crawling,” said the official.

A statement issued by the East Coast Railway said: “Rescue operations are underway with DRM/Waltair (Divisional Railway Manager, Waltair division) and his team on the spot. The local administration is also helping in the rescue operation. Accident relief trains and other rescue equipment… have been engaged, and helpline numbers have been issued.”

The Prime Minister 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. https://t.co/K9c2cRsePG

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 29, 2023

Train services on the Chennai- Howrah routes were disrupted because of the accident. Several trains on the route were either cancelled or diverted.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister’s Office said PM Narendra Modi had spoken to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and took stock of the situation. “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,” it said.

According to a Railways official, the Railways has already started the process of distributing ex gratia amount. “Rs 10 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs 5 lakh to those injured,” the official said.

Source: East Coast Railway

PM Modi has announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the next of kin of each of the deceased, and Rs 50,000 to each of the injured, the PMO said on X.

According to Railway officials, six people were confirmed dead.

CM Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed deep shock over the accident and has ordered the officials to take quick-relief measures. (ANI)

“The situation is under control…,” an official said. However, three people were still stuck inside one coach. “The NDRF team is expected to tackle this properly,” the official said.

“We have also spoken to the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh… The state government is mobilising all the support at the spot,” the official said.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed shock and concern over the train accident and instructed authorities to implement urgent relief actions.

It is suspected that some deaths have occurred in the accident as well, an official said but could not immediately confirm the information. (PTI)

Ambulances were dispatched from the neighbouring districts of Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli to Vizianagaram. Reddy also directed the coordination of various government departments, including health, police, and revenue, to work together to provide rapid relief measures and ensure that all injured receive immediate medical attention.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also expressed his grief over the death of passengers in the train accident. He directed the Special Relief Commissioner and the Collectors of Rayagada and Koraput to extend immediate help in rescue and relief operations.

The Odisha government is also in touch with the Andhra Pradesh government to coordinate the rescue operation. Special Relief Commissioner, Odisha, Satyabrata Sahu said the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force and fire service team deputed at Rayagada would be rushed to the accident site if needed.

“The Odisha government has sent two buses from Vizianagaram to the accident site to bring back the stranded Odia passengers,” said Sahu.

NDRF teams are also likely to reach the accident site to help in the rescue operation.

— Inputs from Rahul V Pisharody in Hyderabad