Five people have died and eight others are injured after a lorry collided with the train in Andhra Pradesh
A Congress lawmaker was among five people killed when a truck rammed the Bangalore-Nanded Express in Andhra Pradesh early this morning.
Venkatesh Naik, the Congress legislator from Devadurg in Karnataka, and two other train riders were killed. The driver and cleaner of the truck were also killed.
The accident took place at around 2.20 am at a level crossing in Anantapur district. Railway officials say the brakes of the truck, which was carting granite, failed. The speeding vehicle crashed through the barricade of the crossing and then hit the train.
Four coaches of the train derailed. Train movement in the region has been affected.
"One lorry filled with stones broke closed gate and dashed into the train. Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu is monitoring the development," said Railways Spokesperson Anil Saxena.
Rescue work has been launched by railway officials and the local police.
Earlier this month, at least 28 people were killed after two trains derailed in Madhya Pradesh as heavy rain weakened the tracks at an area near Harda, about 160 kilometres from state capital Bhopal.
Helpline numbers: Bangalore Railway station: 08022354108, 0731666751, 08022156553
Accident site: 09701374062, 09493548005, 09448090399, 00873763945549