39 Killed, 100 Injured In Yet Another Train Mishap In Andhra Pradesh, Railways Suspect Foul Play By Naxals

At least 39 people were killed and over 100 were believed to be injured after nine coaches of Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar Express derailed in Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh, officials said today. The incident took place around 11 PM when the train was going to Bhubaneswar.

ANI

"Nine coaches and the engine of the 18448 Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar Express derailed near Kuneru station. Besides the engine, the luggage van, two general coaches, two sleeper coaches, one AC three tier coach and an AC two tier coach derailed," Chief PRO of East Cost Railway J P Mishra said.

So far, 39 passengers have been confirmed dead by a team of doctors that rushed to the spot, said Mishra.

Meanwhile, railways suspected that tampering of the track near Kuneru station led to the derailment of nine coaches of Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar Express in Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh. "There is a strong indication of tampering with the track as the area is known to be a Naxal-prone zone and as Republic Day is approaching. Foul play cannot be ruled out," sources said. "The Commissioner Railway Safety will conduct a thorough inquiry to ascertain the cause of the mishap," the sources said.

According to the sources, "A goods train had safely passed the same track. The patrol man had also checked the track. However, the driver of the train heard a big cracker-like sound just before the derailment and there appeared to be a big crack on the track which caused the derailment".

Rayagada Sub-collector Muralidhar Swain said that the number of injured could be around 100. The casualty figure may go up as many people are trapped, he added.

District administration of both Vizianagaram and Rayagada are taking active part in rescue operations, said Mishra.

ANI

The train had 22 coaches. Services were affected on Rayagada and Vijayanagaram route, with at least 3 trains cancelled and 8 others diverted.

13 unaffected coaches including luggage-cum-guard van left for Rayagada and they will proceed to Bhubaneswar via Sambhalpur-Angul route. If necessary, extra coaches will be added at Rayagada, Mishra said.

Railways have tied up with Parvatipuram bus depot to arrange for transport. 5 buses have already been arranged to take the passengers towards Palasa and Berhampur areas.

A total of 15 buses are being arranged to take the stranded passengers to their respective destinations.

ANI

Over 10 ambulances have been deployed to take the injured to hospital. At Parvatipuram govt hospital, 22 injured people were taken for treatment from where 7 were referred to Visakhapatnam. 32 were taken to Rayagada district hospital, Mishra said.

PM Modi has expressed his grief over the incident.

My thoughts are with those who lost their loved ones due to the derailment of Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar Express. The tragedy is saddening: PM

¡ª PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 22, 2017

8/Helpline numbers at khurda control: 0674 2490670. Bhubaneswar station: 06742543360.Behrampur station:06802229632

¡ª Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) January 21, 2017

"Helpline nos at Rayagada:BSNL LAND LINE NO. 06856-223400, 06856-223500 BSNL MOBILES 09439741181, 09439741071, AIRTEL 07681878777. Help line nos at Vizianagaram , RLY NO. 83331, 83332, 83333, 83334 BSNL LAND LINE: 08922-221202, 08922-221206," it tweeted.