- By Kamal Kumar
- Mon, 30 Oct 2023 10:37 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Andhra Train Accident: The Drone visuals of the horrific train accident that took place in Andhra Pradesh’s Vizianagaram district on Sunday night were released earlier on Monday. As many as 13 people have died so far whereas more than 50 sustained injuries after the Visakhapatnam-Palasa passenger train collided with the Visakhapatnam-Ragada passenger train in a rear collision. The collision led to the derailment of three coaches of the Visakhapatnam-Rayagada train. One train was headed to Palasa in Andhra Pradesh, while the other was headed to Odisha’s Rayagada.
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Officials of the East Coast Railway (ECR) said that at around 7 pm on Sunday, the Palasa passenger train hit the Rayagada passenger train from behind at Kantakapalli, about 40 Km from here, causing three coaches to derail.
Following the accident, NDRF, and local authorities along the Railways began the rescue operation.
The government declared ex-gratia payments for the victims, consisting of Rs 10 lakh for death, Rs 2 lakh for severe injuries, and Rs 50,000 for minor injuries. Additionally, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy directed officials to provide Rs 10 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs 2 lakh to the injured from the state. For those affected from other states, a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for each deceased individual and Rs 50,000 for each injured person was announced, as per an official release.
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Prime Minister Modi took stock of the situation and called Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. "PM Narendra Modi spoke to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and took stock of the situation in the wake of the unfortunate train derailment between Alamanda and Kantakapalle section. Authorities are providing all possible assistance to those affected. The Prime Minister extends condolences to the bereaved families and prays that the injured recover soon," the Prime Minister's Office posted on X.