14 dead in Andhra Pradesh train collision: What you need to know

A train collision in Andhra Pradesh's Vizianagaram district on Sunday evening (October 29) has, so far, claimed 14 lives, with 51 individuals currently receiving medical treatment for their injuries.

The Vizianagaram Collector verified the latest death count to India Today on Monday.

The exact reason for the accident is unknown, but the preliminary examination points towards suspected human error as the cause of the train collision, as reported by India Today.

ALSO READ: What caused the Odisha train accident? Could Kavach system have prevented it?

This incident comes in the wake of the tragic Balasore accident in June and the recent North East Express mishap just a couple of weeks ago.

What and where

• The incident took place around 7 pm on Sunday, when the Visakhapatnam-Rayagada Passenger Special train collided with the Visakhapatnam-Palasa Passenger train from behind, resulting in the derailment of several coaches, reported PTI.
• This collision occurred between the Kantakapalle and Alamanda railway stations on East Coastal the Howrah-Chennai Main line along the east coast.

Rescue Operations

• Rescue operations have been in full swing at the accident site overnight, with multiple teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), working tirelessly to assist.
• An official from the Ministry of Railways mentioned that the train responsible for the rear-end collision had crossed a red signal, leading to the accident.

• Accident relief trains and other rescue equipment have been engaged, and helpline numbers have been issued, reported India Today.
• Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, on Monday, October 30, took to X(formerly Twitter) to inform the coaches of both the trains that did not derail have been shunted away from the site barring the derailed coaches so far.

Response and assistance

• Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw earlier informed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi took notice of 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.

  - Prime Minister's Office on X
• Rail Minister Vaishnaw posted on X that the distribution of ex-gratia compensation has commenced. The kin of the deceased will be given Rs 10 lakh, Rs 2.5 lakh to the severely injured, and Rs 50,000 to the ones who sustained minor injuries from the Prime Minister's Relief Fund (PMRF).

• Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed shock and concern over the incident and swiftly instructed authorities to implement urgent relief actions, directing officials to provide an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh to the kin of the deceased and Rs 2 lakh to the injured from the state.
• Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also expressed his grief over the incident and directed Special Relief Commissioner Satyabrata Sahu and the collectors of Rayagada and Koraput to extend immediate help in rescue and relief operations.

ALSO READ: Fire doused on Bhopal-Delhi Vande Bharat Express train, all passengers safe