27 dead as Hirakhand Express derails in Vizag

Visakhapatnam: Twenty-seven passengers were killed and over 35 injured, when nine bogies of Jagdalpur–Bhubaneswar Hirakhand Express derailed near Kuneru Railway Station in Komarada mandal of Vizianagaram district, at around 2330 hrs, late last Night. Senior officials of the East Coast Railway Waltiar Divisional today said the toll was expected to go up as many are believed to be trapped in S-8 and S-9 coaches, which were badly damaged in the accident. The NDRF, RPF and CRPF teams are carrying out the relief and rescue operations.

Railway officials from the East Coast Railway (ECR) Headquarters in Bhubaneswar are monitoring the situation. The Rayagada District Collector, CPRF Commandant are supervising the relief efforts. ECR Waltair Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Chandhralekha Mukherjee and other officials have rushed to the accident spot and are coordinating the rescue efforts. A relief train from Vizag Smart City has rushed to the spot. The injured are being shifted to hospitals in Rayagada, Parvathipuram and Visakhapatnam Smart City.

The train left Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh at around 1625 hrs yesterday, to reach Bhubaneswar today. Sources here said the accident would have happened due to a rail fracture, but it is too early to comment. The Helpline Numbers at Rayagada of Vizianagaram BSNL are: 06856-223400, 06856-223500,BSNL Mobile: 09439741181, 09439741071. (UNI)