Two passenger trains collide in Vizianagaram; death toll reaches 13
Two trains have collided in Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh. At least 13 people reportedly died in the accident. More than 50 people are said to be injured during this period. Divisional Railway Manager said that there was a collision between Visakhapatnam-Palasa passenger train and Visakhapatnam-Rayagada passenger train on Howrah-Chennai route. Three coaches were damaged in the accident. The rescue operation is going on. Local administration and NDRF have been informed for assistance and ambulance. Accident relief trains have reached the spot.
East Coast Railway spokesperson said that at present the work of repairing the railway track is going on at the site of the accident. ‘We have arranged buses and trains for the stranded passengers. So far, 18 trains have been cancelled, while 22 trains have been diverted. We are working on reopening the track by 4 pm.’
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said that ‘the rescue operation is going on, everyone has been evacuated. Teams have been deployed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reviewed the situation. I spoke to the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. The situation is currently under control.’
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister’s Office said that PM Narendra Modi spoke to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav and took stock of the current situation regarding the ill-fated train between Alamanda and Kantakapalle section. Officials are providing all possible assistance to the affected people. The Prime Minister has expressed condolences towards the deceased. Meanwhile, financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each was announced to the families of the deceased and Rs 50 thousand each to the injured from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund.
