At least 8 dead, several injured as 2 trains collide in Andhra Pradesh

On Sunday, two trains collided in Vizianagaram district, leaving at least 8 dead and 32 injured. The trains were operating from Vizianagaram to Rayagada, Odisha, and another was en route to Palasa from Vishakapatnam.

"There was an overshoot of train 08532 Visakhapatnam-Palasa Passenger with train 08504 Visakhapatnam-Rayagada Passenger, where 3 coaches were involved and about 10 people were injured,” a South Coast Railway zone official said.

The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, YS S Jagan Mohan Reddy, expressing his shock over the incident, ordered a quick relief and rescue operation to ensure proper medical care for injured passengers.

The Chief Minister issued an order to send as many ambulances from Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli, the districts of Vizianagaram that are closest, as well as to arrange multiple medical services to be provided in neighbouring hospitals. To guarantee that the injured receive timely medical attention, the Chief Minister has issued orders coordinating various government departments, such as revenue, police, and health, to conduct immediate assistance efforts. 

Divisional Railway Manager Saurabh Prasad reached the site, and rescue operations are in full swing.

Local administration and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were informed, seeking assistance and ambulances, and accident relief trains have reached the site, the official added.

Following the accident, East Coast Railways came out with 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@RailMinIndia

— East Coast Railway (@EastCoastRail)

The Prime Minister also extended his condolences in his post on X

The PMO tweeted, “PM Narendra Modi spoke to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and took stock of the situation in the wake of the unfortunate train derailment between Alamanda and Kantakapalle section. 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”

(With PTI inputs)