32 killed, over 50 injured in Hirakhand Express derailment near Odisha-Andhra border

Rayagada: At least 32 people were killed and over 50 others injured when the Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar Hirakhand Express derailed in Andhra Pradesh’s Vizianagaram district on Saturday night.

The incident occurred on Saturday night at 11.30 p.m., near Kuneru station. The train was enroute to Odisha’s capital city Bhubaneswar from Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh.

Seven coaches — luggage van, two general coaches, two sleeper coaches, one AC three tier coach, one AC two tier coach — and the engine derailed, said Chief Public Relations Officer of East Coast Railway J.P. Mishra.

“Four accident relief vans have been sent to the accident site. The reason behind the incident is yet to be ascertained,” Mishra said.

Army personnel has also been deployed to carry out rescue operations.

13 unaffected coaches left the accident site carrying passengers via Sambalpur and Angul. Bus services were also arranged for the passengers.

Officials said 22 injured were shifted to Parvathipuram government hospital. Seven patients were referred to Kin George Hospital of Visakhapatnam while seven were discharged after first aid.

A total of 32 injured were brought to Rayagada district hospital.