23 killed as 9 coaches of Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar Express derail

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 JP Mishra told PTI.

So far, 23 passengers have been confirmed dead by a team of doctors that rushed to the spot, said Mishra.

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 government 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 numbers at Rayagada: BSNL LAND LINE NO. 06856-223400, 06856-223500. BSNL MOBILES 09439741181, 09439741071, AIRTEL 07681878777. Help line numbers at Vizianagaram, RLY NO. 83331, 83332, 83333, 83334 BSNL LAND LINE: 08922-221202, 08922-221206," the railway ministry tweeted. 

Meanwhile, the railways have ordered an investigation into the incident.

"There is a confirmation of 23 deaths in this unfortunate accident and 36 persons have been injured as of now. Honourable Railway Minister is constantly monitoring the situation and he is giving constant instructions to the railway board and the zonal railway to provide best relief operations.

"The traffic in this route is little distracted," said railway spokesperson Anil Saxena, adding, "the cause of the accident is yet not known we will come to know only after through investigations".