12 trains cancelled, several diverted after Andhra Pradesh collision

12 trains have been cancelled, 15 diverted and 7 partially cancelled after an accident involving two passengers trains in Andhra Pradesh's Vizianagaram on Sunday.

At least 9 people have been killed and 32 others injured after the Rayagada passenger train rammed into the Palasa passengers train from behind.

Biswajit Sahu, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of the ECR, said the accident took place between Alamanda and Kantakapalli in the Vizianagaram-Kottavalasa railway section of the Waltair division of the East Coast Railway zone at about 7 pm.

He said train number 08532 (Visakhapatnam-Palasa passenger) and 08504 (Visakhapatnam-Rayagada passenger special) were involved in the accident, adding that the Rayagada passenger had overshot the signal.

Two coaches of the Visakhapatnam-Palasa passenger train from the rear and the locomotive of the Visakhapatnam-Rayagada passenger train got derailed, the official added.

Rescue operations are underway with the DRM, Waltair and his team on the spot. Accident relief trains and other rescue equipment have been engaged, the official said.

In a post on X, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the government has announced ex-gratia payments for the victims.

"All injured shifted to hospitals. Ex-gratia compensation disbursement started -- Rs 10 Lakh in case of death, Rs 2 Lakh towards grievous and Rs 50,000 for minor injuries," he said on the microblogging website.

Expressing shock over the incident, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy also instructed officials to pay an ex-gratia amount of Rs 10 lakh each to the kin of the deceased and Rs 2 lakh each to the injured from the state.

He also announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each for the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each for the injured from other states, according to an official release.

(with PTI inputs)

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