the train accident at Kantakapalli in Andhra Pradesh’s Vizianagaram rose to 13 on Monday even as four of the over 50 people injured in the crash were said to be critical, officials said.
Officials said those killed include the loco and assistant loco pilot of one of the trains (Visakhapatnam-Rayagada passenger train) involved in the crash. They added it “appears to be a classic case of human error” as the pilots of the Rayagada-bound train did not halt even when the signal was red
Officials said railway minister Ashwani Vaishnaw and Railway Board chairman Jaya Varma Sinha were monitoring the situation from a war room. In a post on the social media platform X, Vaishnaw said other than the derailed and affected coaches, others have been cleared from the site.
Vaishnaw on Sunday announced an ex-gratia of ₹10 lakh for the families of those killed, ₹2.5 lakh each for grievously injured, and ₹50,000 for those who sustained minor injuries.
The Rayagada-bound train rammed into Vishakhapatnam-Palasa train waiting on the track between Alamanda and Kantakpalli railway stations. Four bogies of the second train derailed onto the adjacent track from the impact of the collision.
Rescue operations were hampered as the crash knocked out electrical lines and plunged the area into darkness before rescuers rushed to the scene.
At least 13 trains were cancelled, diverted, or terminated as the tracks were blocked.
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