Newsplus21
As many as 11 are now confirmed dead while another 50 are said to be injured in the Vizianagram train accident on Sunday night. The mishap happened when two trains collided in Vizianagaram district on the Howrah-Chennai line on Sunday evening.
“The rear train came and overshot the signal as a result of which several coaches derailed..” – says Waltair Division Railway manager Saurabh Prasad.
“We are presently focusing on the track restoration work. The rescue operation is over now…We have arranged buses and trains for the stranded passengers. A total of 18 trains have been cancelled and 22 trains have been diverted. We are trying to clear the track by 4 pm today…”, says Biswajit Sahu, CPRO, East Coast Railway.
It is learnt now that due to the accident on this track, 12 trains had to be cancelled while 15 others remain diverted. At least seven other trains had to be partially cancelled or short terminated.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw over the Andhra Pradesh train accident. He took stock of the situation and also extended condolences to the bereaved families and prays that the injured recover soon.
PM Modi announced an ex-gratia from PMNRF of Rs 2 lakh to the next kin of each deceased and Rs. 50,000 for those injured in rail accident.
