Andhra Pradesh train accident: 6 dead, 25 injured, PM Modi takes stock of situation

At least six persons have died and 25 have been injured in a train accident in Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh, Police officials told PTI. The accident occurred when a passenger train going to Rayagada from Visakhapatnam derailed in Vizianagaram district, leaving six dead and 25 injured. The accident took place after two trains collided in Vizianagaram district on Sunday evening, railway officials said.

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) tweeted that 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. And added that authorities are providing all possible assistance to those affected. 

The Prime Minister also extended his condolences to the bereaved families and prayed that the injured recover soon. 

PM @narendramodi spoke to Railway Minister Shri @AshwiniVaishnaw 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…

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 29, 2023

Earlier: East Central Railway CPRO had stated that coaches derailed after a train travelling along with passengers from Vizianagaram to Raigad hit a passenger train travelling on the same route from Vishakapatnam to Palasa. The railways official added that the exact number of injuries yet to be known, and the rescue and restoration process underway.

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

Andhra Pradesh | A passenger train which was going to Rayagada from Visakhapatnam derailed in Vizianagaram district. More details awaited: Divisional Railway Manager

(Pictures taken by locals shared with ANI) pic.twitter.com/ZcynNnoJye

— ANI (@ANI) October 29, 2023

With some deaths suspected, 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. 

Expressing shock over the incident, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S jagan Mohan Reddy instructed the officials concerned to undertake rescue operations. He asked the officials to arrange sufficient number of ambulances to ferry the injured.

More details awaited.