At least 13 people died and 40 others were injured after two passenger trains collided near Alamanda-Kantakapalli in Vizianagaram district in Andhra Pradesh on Sunday (October 29, 2023).
Rescue operation is still going on.
The incident occurred months after a three-train collision in Odisha left over 280 people dead.
Also Read: Andhra Pradesh: Six die, several hurt as two trains collide in Vizianagaram
The death count increased to 13 from nine last night, Vizianagaram Collector Nagalakshmi told Indian news channel NDTV.
The injured people are being treated across various hospitals.
Biswajit Sahu, CPRO, East Coast Railway, told NDTV the accident occurred due to the fault of the Vizag-Rayagada loco pilot, who died in the impact of the collision.
Several trains have been cancelled and diverted following the incident.
Railway officials told UNI news agency that the Visakhapatnam-Palasa passenger train halted on the track and was waiting for a signal when the Visakhapatnam-Rayagada passenger train dashed the stationary train in the rear end.
PM Narendra Modi spoke to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw over the Andhra Pradesh train accident.
"Modi took stock of the situation in the wake of the unfortunate train derailment between Alamanda and Kantakapalle section," PMO India said in a statement.
Modi also extended condolences to the bereaved families and prays that the injured recover soon.
The Prime Minister also 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.
Helpline numbers:
BSNL landline no 08912746330 ; 08912744619 ; Airtel mobile No's – 8106053051 ; 8106053052 BSNL Mobile No's — 8500041670 and 8500041671 ; Bhubaneswar – 0674-2301625 ; 2301525, 2303069.