At Least 13 Dead, 50 Injured As Two Trains Collide In Andhra Pradesh

In a tragic incident, two passenger trains crashed in the Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh, resulting in at least 13 fatalities and injuries to 50 individuals. The collision occurred at approximately 7 pm on the Sunday evening.

According to reports, the Visakhapatnam-Rayagada Passenger Special train rear-ended the Visakhapatnam-Palasa Passenger Express, causing several coaches to derail. The incident happened on the stretch of track between the Kantakapalle and Alamanda railway stations.

By Monday morning, the number of fatalities from the accident had increased from nine on Sunday night to 13.

Senior officials from the Railway Ministry said that the accident occurred when the driver of the trailing train missed a signal.

“He crossed the red signal… It was a rear-end collision. The local train at the front was at a very low speed, almost crawling,” the official was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.

A statement issued by the East Coast Railway said: “Rescue operations are underway with DRM/Waltair (Divisional Railway Manager, Waltair division) and his team on the spot. The local administration is also helping in the rescue operation. Accident relief trains and other rescue equipment… have been engaged, and helpline numbers have been issued.”

The accident caused significant disruptions to train services along the Chennai-Howrah line, with numerous trains being either cancelled or rerouted.

A statement on platform X from the Prime Minister's Office said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had been in contact with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to assess the situation.

“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,” it said.

A Railways official stated that the process for disbursing ex gratia payments has commenced.

“Rs 10 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs 5 lakh to those injured,” the official said.

This accident comes five months after the Coromandel Express ran into a stationary freight train in Odisha’s Balasore district on 2 June.

Some coaches also collided with the passing Yeshvantpur Express. The triple train collision, caused by a signalling issue, left 296 dead.