Andhra Pradesh train accident: Death toll, injuries, rescue operations in 10 points

The collision occurred several months following a major rail disaster on June 2, where defective connections within the automated signaling system resulted in India's most devastating railway incident in twenty years.

At least 13 people have been killed while over 50 have been injured after a special passenger train travelling to Rayagada from Visakatapatnam derailed from Andhra Pradesh's Vizianagaram district on October 29.

According to the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), 3 coaches were involved in the accident. Rescue efforts are currently in progress, with the local administration and NDRF alerted for support, including ambulances.

Here are the 10 points you need to know about the mishap: 

1. According to Biswajit Sahu, CPRO, East Coast Railway, following the completion of the rescue operation, buses and trains have been arranged for the stranded passengers. Moreover, 18 trains have been canceled, and 22 trains have been redirected. The team aims to finalize the evacuation procedure by 4:00 pm on October 30.
2. Sahu, speaking about a possible human error involved in the mishap said, an overshooting of the signal Visakhapatnam-Rayagada passenger train is a "likely reason." Waltair Division Railway manager, Saurabh Prasad also mentioned the overshooting of the signal by the loco pilot, while speaking to the reporters.
3. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has instructed immediate relief actions, directing the dispatch of numerous ambulances from Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli, the closest districts to Vizianagaram. The order includes organizing comprehensive medical arrangements in nearby hospitals to ensure quality healthcare services.
4. Reddy has also announced financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh for the family of the deceased, Rs 2.5 lakh to those seriously injured and Rs 50,000 to those minorly injured.
5. Additionally, the Prime Minister has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the deceased. The injured will be given Rs. 50,000.
6. According to a report by ANI, Vizianagaram District Administration has said that at least 40 people have been injured while four are said to be in critical condition. All the injured are from Andhra Pradesh.
7. West Bengal Chief Minister  Mamata Banerjee slammed Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on X. "When will the railways come out of the slumber? Another disastrous rail collision, this time in Vizianagaram district in Andhra Pradesh, involving two passenger trains," Mamata Banerjee said through a series of posts.
8. The Ministry of Railways has issued the status of all trains that are diverted, cancelled and short terminated due to the accident. 33 trains have been cancelled while the 6 others have been rescheduled till now.
9. The Railways has also issued different location-wise helpline numbers to contact regarding the mishap. Railway Board Chairman Jaya Varma Sinha is also monitoring the situation from a war room in Delhi.
10. The collision occurred several months following a major rail disaster on June 2, where defective connections within the automated signaling system resulted in India's most devastating railway incident in twenty years. This incident had taken place in Bahanaga Bazar, Odisha, claiming the lives of 288 individuals and causing over 1,000 injuries. The accident involved a passenger train colliding with a stationary freight train and subsequently derailing to collide with another passenger train traveling in the opposite direction.