Tragedy struck the serene routes of Andhra Pradesh’s Vizianagaram district as a heart-wrenching train collision claimed the lives of 11 individuals while leaving around 50 passengers injured. The incident occurred when the Visakhapatnam-Ragada passenger train collided with another train on the same route, resulting in the derailment of several coaches on October 29.
The aftermath of this sorrowful event unfolded in a flurry of rescue operations spearheaded by East Coast Railway officials, local administrative bodies, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). Their swift actions aimed to aid those affected and bring relief to the distressing scene.
Highlights that emerged from this grievous incident:
Andhra Train Collision
- Biswajit Sahu, the Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of East Coast Railway, shared updates, revealing the tragic rise in the death toll to 11. Their primary focus has shifted to the restoration of the tracks. For the stranded passengers, arrangements have been made with 18 trains canceled and 22 trains diverted. The concerted effort aims to clear the tracks by 4 p.m. on the day of the accident.
- Investigations suggest that the collision could have been a result of human error, specifically the overshooting of a signal by the Visakhapatnam-Rayagada passenger train.
- Saurabh Prasad, the Waltair Division Railway manager, shed light on the accident’s cause, citing an overshooting of the signal leading to the collision and subsequent derailment of five coaches. Immediate efforts are being directed towards aiding passengers trapped inside the affected coaches, with multiple rescue teams working tirelessly at the scene.
- In response to the tragedy, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s office pledged financial aid of ₹10 lakh to the families of the deceased and ₹2 lakh for the seriously injured. Additional compensation will be extended to families of victims from other states and those seriously injured.
- According to reports from the Vizianagaram District administration, around 40 individuals were injured, with 32 taken to Vizianagaram Government Hospital and others to different medical facilities. Among them, four individuals remain in critical condition.
- In an immediate response to the situation, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has ordered quick relief measures, directing the dispatch of ambulances from nearby districts and ensuring adequate medical care in nearby hospitals for the injured.
- Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal, expressed concern and urged for heightened safety measures, emphasizing the need for improved railway safety protocols to avoid such distressing incidents.
- Railway authorities released a detailed list of trains affected by the incident, outlining those diverted, canceled, or having their routes shortened.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced financial aid from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the families of the deceased and the injured, offering Rs. 2 lakh and Rs. 50,000, respectively.
- To provide support and assistance, the railway authorities issued helpline numbers for those affected by the distressing event.
This heartrending incident emphasizes the pressing need for stringent safety measures within the railway systems. The joint efforts of rescue teams, government authorities, and concerned citizens remain focused on providing support and assistance to all those affected by this unfortunate event.
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