39 killed as 10 coaches of Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar Express derail

Bhubaneswar: At least 39 people were killed and over 50 were believed to be injured after 10 coaches of Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar Express derailed in Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh, officials said today.

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 train no- 18448 Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar Express went off the track near Kuneru station, Chief PRO of East Coast Railway J P Mishra told PTI.

Rayagada Sub-collector Muralidhar Swain said that the number of injured could be around 100. 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 3 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. 34 were taken to Rayagada district hospital, Mishra said.

Railways have set up helplines at various stations in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.

The numbers for Vizianagaram are: 83331, 83332, 83333, 83334, 08922-221202, 08922-221206

Visakhapatnam: 83003, 83005, 83006, 0891-2746344, 0891-2746330, 08500358610, 08500358712

Rayagada: 06856-223400, 06856-223500, 09439741181, 09439741071, 07681878777

Khurda: 0674-2490670.

Bhubaneswar station: 06742543360.

Behrampur station: 06802229632.