A devastating train collision in Andhra Pradesh has left six people dead and 18 others injured, casting a pall of grief over the region. The tragic incident unfolded when a special passenger train traveling from Visakhapatnam to Palasa came to a halt on the tracks between Alamanda and Kantakapalle, near Kothsavatsala, due to a signaling issue. Tragically, the Vizag-Raigad passenger train collided with the stationary train, resulting in the derailment of three coaches and a loss of lives.
The accident bears a haunting resemblance to a similar incident in Odisha a few months prior, in which over 280 lives were lost in a horrific three-train collision. While the investigation is ongoing, early reports suggest that human error may have played a significant role in this tragic event, with the signaling system failure going unnoticed by the train’s operator.
Pictures from the scene depict the derailed coaches and a crowd of concerned onlookers, highlighting the severity of the collision and the urgency of rescue efforts. The situation has prompted a swift and coordinated response from authorities at various levels.
The War Room within the Delhi railway ministry is closely monitoring the situation, taking immediate action to address the crisis. The East Coast Railway has released helpline numbers to provide assistance and information to those affected by the collision.
In response to the tragedy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has engaged with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to review the situation and coordinate relief efforts. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Reddy has expressed deep condolences for the loss of lives and swiftly ordered officials to mobilize relief measures and ensure prompt medical services for the injured.
The Chief Minister’s office posted on social media, stating, “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.”
Furthermore, the Chief Minister has directed the dispatch of ambulances from nearby districts, including Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli, to offer medical treatment and make necessary arrangements in nearby hospitals. He emphasized the importance of keeping him updated on the incident’s developments.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw personally contacted the Chief Minister to discuss the accident, and he was informed that rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the scene. Education Minister B. Satyanarayana, along with the District Collector and Superintendent of Police, are overseeing the relief and rescue operations, ensuring that all arrangements are in place for the injured to receive the necessary medical attention. The gravity of the situation calls for an expedited response, and authorities are working tirelessly to alleviate the suffering caused by this tragic train collision.
Sources By Agencies
