Tragic Train Derailment Claims Lives and Injures Scores in Andhra Pradesh

VIZIANAGARAM, Andhra Pradesh – A devastating train derailment rocked the Vizianagaram-Kottavalasa Railway Section of the Waltair Division within the East Coast Railway Zone on the evening of October 29, 2023. The incident unfolded between the stations of Alamanda and Kantakapalle, with the clock striking 19:00hrs. Two trains, the 08532 Visakhapatnam-Palasa Passenger train and the 08504 Visakhapatnam-Rayagada Passenger Special, were involved in this catastrophic event, which authorities believe was triggered by human error. Specifically, it was the overshooting of a signal by the Visakhapatnam-Rayagada passenger train that set the stage for the collision.

The collision led to the derailment of two coaches at the rear of the 08532 Visakhapatnam-Palasa Passenger train and the locomotive of the 08504 Visakhapatnam-Rayagada Passenger train.

The East Coast Railway reported that the accident resulted in a tragic loss of life, with nine casualties confirmed. Furthermore, over 100 individuals have been injured, amplifying the scale of the catastrophe.

In the wake of the incident, 11 coaches from the front of the 08532 Visakhapatnam-Palasa train reached the Alamanda station, while the rear nine coaches of the 08504 Visakhapatnam-Rayagada train were pulled back to the Kantakapalle station. All passengers, other than those onboard the derailed and affected coaches, have been safely evacuated from the scene.

Responding swiftly to the crisis, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs. 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased victim. In addition, a sum of Rs. 50,000 will be provided to those who sustained minor injuries.

The injured have been promptly transferred to local hospitals, and the process of disbursing ex-gratia compensation is already in motion, with Rs. 10 lakh being allocated in cases of fatality, Rs. 2 lakh for grievous injuries, and Rs. 50,000 for minor injuries. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed these compensation details.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held discussions with Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, taking stock of the situation and reaffirming the government’s commitment to providing all possible assistance to those affected. The Prime Minister extended his condolences to the bereaved families and expressed hopes for a swift recovery of the injured.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin also expressed his deep distress over the train collision. He offered his sympathies to the affected families and wished a speedy recovery for the injured. Notably, this incident occurred just months after the tragic Balasore Train Accident in June 2023.

Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister took to Twitter to express his concern about the recurring train accidents. He highlighted the disastrous nature of the incident, involving two passenger trains, resulting in at least eight fatalities and more than 25 injuries. He urged for swift rescue efforts and an immediate inquiry into the incident, expressing solidarity with the families of the victims. The Chief Minister emphasized the urgency for the railways to address these repetitive tragedies and take decisive actions.