Fatal collision claims 13 lives in Andhra train accident; human error suspected as rescue operations clear the site.
The tragic train accident in Kantakapalli, Andhra Pradesh’s Vizianagaram, has claimed the lives of 13 people. Among the victims were the dedicated loco and assistant loco pilots of one of the trains, the Visakhapatnam-Rayagada passenger train, involved in the collision. Regrettably, four of the over 50 injured individuals are in critical condition.
The authorities have pointed out that this unfortunate incident seems to be the result of human error. It appears that the Rayagada-bound train didn’t stop even when the signal was red.
Toll in Andhra Pradesh train accident rises to 14, says Vizianagaram Joint Collector Mayur Ashok. https://t.co/7K33S6z2nl
— Devdiscourse (@Dev_Discourse) October 30, 2023
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Officials Monitor Accident
Railway Minister Ashwani Vaishnaw and Railway Board Chairman Jaya Varma Sinha are closely monitoring the situation. They are coordinating efforts from a control centre. Mr Vaishnaw has also announced financial assistance, with ₹10 lahks for the families of the deceased, ₹2.5 lakh each for those seriously injured, and ₹50,000 for those with minor injuries.
The collision occurred when the Rayagada-bound train struck the Visakhapatnam-Palasa train, which was stationary on the track between Alamanda and Kantakapalli railway stations. As a result of the impact, four coaches of the second train derailed onto an adjacent way.
Rescue operations were hindered due to the disruption of electrical lines, plunging the area into darkness. Nevertheless, rescuers promptly rushed to the scene. Several train services were affected, with at least 13 trains being cancelled, diverted, or terminated due to blocked tracks.
13 people died and 50 were injured in train accidents in Andhra Pradesh on Sunday. After this accident, 18 trains were canceled and 22 trains were changed.#Trainaccident pic.twitter.com/QgZKu2QlWH
— newspointJ&K (@NewspointjK) October 30, 2023
Read more:-Deadly Bihar Train Derailment: Poor Maintenance Suspected
Before the Odisha Rail Disaster
This unfortunate incident comes after a rail disaster in Odisha’s Bahanaga Bazar earlier in the year, which claimed the lives of 288 people and left over 1,000 injured due to faulty connections in the automated signalling system. In that incident, a passenger train collided with a stationary freight train before derailing and hitting another passenger train coming from the opposite direction.
More recently, four passengers lost their lives, and 80 were injured when coaches of the Delhi-Kamakhya Northeast Express derailed near Raghunathpur station in Bihar’s Buxar district.
The Vizianagaram district collector, S. Nagalakshmi, has stated that 10 of the 13 passengers who lost their lives have been identified so far. It’s important to note that all the victims, both deceased and injured, were from Andhra Pradesh. 32 of the injured are currently receiving treatment at Vizianagaram government hospital, while some seriously injured individuals have been transferred to corporate hospitals in Visakhapatnam. Regrettably, the condition of four of them is critical.
Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has also announced financial support, with ₹10 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹2 lakh for the injured. He plans to visit the accident site on Monday to assess the situation and offer his condolences.
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