12 killed, over 45 injured as Hirakhand Express derails in Andhra Pradesh

At least 12 people were killed and more than 45 injured after engine and nine coaches of Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar Hirakhand Express derailed near Kuneru Railway Station in Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh, confirmed Chief PRO of East Cost Railway J.P Mishra.

"The engine and nine coaches of Jagdalpur Hirakhand Express have been derailed near Kuneru station. As of now, we have got the confirmation of 12 deaths and more than 45 injuries," Mishra told ANI.

The untoward incident took place late night on Saturday at around 11 p.m.

The injured have been taken to the nearby hospital and rescue operation is on.

Mishra further said that relief trains have been organised from four directions, i.e. Visakhapatnam, Rayagada, Sambalpur and Palasa and two trains have already reached.

"The divisional railway manager from Visakhapatnam has already reached the spot with relief and rescue team. The railway manager from east coast railway Bhubhaneshwar has also left for site and about to reach. We have tried our level best to rope in as many as NGOs as possible because with help of them we are able to shift injured people to hospitals," he added.

Refraining from commenting on the reason of the accident, Mishra said, "This is a very sensitive matter so as of now we are not able to comment on nature and reasons of accident and will wait for the outcome of an enquiry into the accident."

In the wake of the accident, seven express trains and few passenger trains have also been diverted.

The Ministry of Railways has also issued the following helpline numbers.

Helpline numbers at Rayagada: 06856-223400, 06856-223500 ,09439741181, 09439741071, 07681878777.

Helpline numbers at Vizianagaram: Railway numbers: 83331, 83332, 83333, 83334, 08922-221202, 08922-221206, 08500358610, 08500358712.

Helpline numbers at Visakhapatnam: Railway numbers: 83003, 83005, 83006, 0891-2746344, 0891-2746330.