This Article is From Oct 30, 2023

9 Killed, 40 Injured As 2 Trains Collide In Andhra, Human Error Suspected

Andhra Train Collision: A special passenger train going from Visakhapatnam to Palasa had stopped on tracks between Alamanda and Kantakapalle near Kothsavatsala because of no signal when the Vizag-Raigad passenger train rammed it, derailing three coaches.

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India News

Nine people were killed and 40 injured on Sunday when two trains collided in Andhra Pradesh, said police, months after the horrific three-train collision in Odisha that killed over 280.

"As per the data, 9 casualties are there and 29 people have been injured," Biswajit Sahu, CPRO, East Coast Railway had earlier told news agency ANI.

The district administration has updated the injury figures to 40.

A special passenger train going from Visakhapatnam to Palasa had stopped on tracks between Alamanda and Kantakapalle near Kothsavatsala because of no signal when the Vizag-Raigad passenger train rammed it, derailing three coaches. 

Pictures from the site showed the derailed coaches and people crowding around. 

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Railways sources said the tragedy was a result of human error, adding that signalling was not noticed by loco pilot.

War room in Delhi railway ministry is monitoring the situation, the Railways source added.

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The East Coast Railway has released helpline numbers. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and reviewed the situation.

Andhra Chief Minister Jagan Reddy has condoled the loss of lives in the accident. 

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"The CM expressed deep shock over the Kantakapalli train accident incident in Vizianagaram district. He ordered the officials to take quick relief measures and ensure that the injured get prompt medical services," the Chief Minister's office posted on social media. 

"The Chief Minister advised to send as many ambulances as possible from the nearby districts of Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli and make all kinds of arrangements to provide medical treatment in the nearby hospitals. The details regarding the incident should be reported to him from time to time," it added. 

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Union Railway Minister Aswini Vaishnaw telephoned the Chief Minister over the accident.

The Chief Minister informed him that rescue teams have been sent to the accident site and Education Minister B Satyanarayana, District Collector and the SP are supervising the relief and rescue operations.

He further told the Union Minister that all arrangements were made in the nearby hospitals to treat the injured. 

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