40 killed as Hirakhand Express derails in AP Visakhapatnam, Jan 22 (INN): At least 40 persons were killed and more than 100 others were injured as nine coaches of the Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar Hirakhand Express derailed late Saturday night.
The accident occurred near Kuneru station in Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh when the train was going from Jagdalpur (Chhattisgarh) to Bhubaneswar.
The authorities have so far identified 18 victims which include six women.
The injured have been admitted to various hospitals in Parvathipuram, Rayagadaa and Vizianagaram and King George Hospital of Visakhapatnam. The condition of some of the injured persons is said to be critical.
The AP Government on Sunday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each for the next of kin of persons who were killed in the accident. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said that the compensation will be paid under Chandranna Bima scheme. "My condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. We are investigating the reason for the accident," Tweeted Naidu who is presently in Switzerland on official tour.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the loss of lives due to the derailment of Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar Express train.
'My thoughts are with those who lost their loved ones due to the derailment of Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar Express. The tragedy is saddening. I pray for a speedy recovery of all those injured due to the train accident," he said in his message.
The Prime Minister said that the Railway Ministry was monitoring the situation very closely and is working to ensure quick rescue and relief operations.
News Posted: 22 January, 2017
|