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This story is from January 22, 2017

32 killed as 9 coaches of Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar Express derail in Andhra Pradesh

The incident took place around 11 PM on Saturday night when the train was on its way to Bhubaneswar from Jagdalpur. The engine and nine coaches of train no - 18448 Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar Express went off the track near Kuneru station.
32 killed as Hirakhand Express derails in Andhra
The incident took place around 11 PM on Saturday night when the train was on its way to Bhubaneswar from Jagdalpur. The engine and nine coaches of train no - 18448 Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar Express went off the track near Kuneru station.
Key Highlights
  • The incident took place around 11 PM yesterday when the train was on its way to Bhubaneswar from Jagdalpur.
  • The engine and nine coaches of went off the track near Kuneru station
  • The train had 22 coaches.
NEW DELHI: At least 32 people were killed and over 100 were believed to be injured after nine coaches of Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar Hirakhand Express derailed in Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh, officials said today.
The incident took place around 11pm yesterday when the train was on its way to Bhubaneswar from Jagdalpur.
The engine and nine coaches of train no - 18448 Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar Express went off the track near Kuneru station, Chief PRO of East Coast Railway JP Mishra told PTI.

The casualty figure may go up as many people are trapped, he added. District administration of both Vizianagaram and Rayagada are taking active part in rescue operations, said Mishra. The train had 22 coaches.
Services were affected on Rayagada and Vijayanagaram route, with at least seven trains cancelled and 8 others diverted.
13 unaffected coaches including luggage-cum-guard van left for Rayagada and they will proceed to Bhubaneswar via Sambhalpur-Angul route. If necessary, extra coaches will be added at Rayagada, Mishra said.
Railways have tied up with Parvatipuram bus depot to arrange for transport. 5 buses have already been arranged to take the passengers towards Palasa and Berhampur areas. A total of 15 buses are being arranged to take the stranded passengers to their respective destinations. Over 10 ambulances have been deployed to take the injured to hospital.


At Parvatipuram govt hospital, 22 injured people were taken for treatment from where 7 were referred to Visakhapatnam. 32 were taken to Rayagada district hospital, Mishra said.

"Helpline nos at Rayagada:BSNL LAND LINE NO. 06856-223400, 06856-223500 BSNL MOBILES 09439741181, 09439741071, AIRTEL 07681878777. Help line nos at Vizianagaram , RLY NO. 83331, 83332, 83333, 83334 BSNL LAND LINE: 08922-221202, 08922-221206," the railway ministry tweeted.
Railways suspect foul play in derailment of Express train
Railways suspected that tampering of the track near Kuneru station led to the derailment of nine coaches of Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar Express in Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh. "There is a strong indication of tampering with the track as the area is known to be a Naxal-prone zone and as Republic Day is approaching. Foul play cannot be ruled out," sources said. "The Commissioner Railway Safety will conduct a thorough inquiry to ascertain the cause of the mishap," the sources said.
According to the sources, "A goods train had safely passed the same track. The patrol man had also checked the track. However, the driver of the train heard a big cracker-like sound just before the derailment and there appeared to be a big crack on the track which caused the derailment".
SURESH PRABHU ANNOUNCES RS 2 LAKH FOR KIN OF DECEASED
Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on Sunday announced rupees two lakh as compensation for the kin of deceased in the horrific Hirakhand express derailment in Andhra Pradesh last night, which claimed the lives of 26 people. He also announced 25,000 rupees for the injured and 50,000 rupees for the seriously injured.
Prabhu, along with Railway Board Chairman A K Mittal, is rushing to the derailment site in Andhra.
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