NIA team starts investigating Hirakhand Express train accident

Bhubaneswar: A five-member National Investigation Team (NIA) on Monday visited the Hirakhand Express mishap site at Kuneru in Andhra Pradesh after meeting the injured at Rayagada hospital on Monday.

The NIA has been entrusted with the probe to ascertain sabotage angle by suspicious anti-social or anti-national elements.

Similarly, the officials of CID from Andhra Pradesh have also started inquiry at Kuneru station.

On the other hand, the Commissioner Railway Safety will conduct a thorough inquiry into the incident to ascertain the cause of the train derailment from today.

Prior to reaching the accident spot, the NIA team visited the injured passengers in the Rayagada and Parbatipuram hospitals to gather information on the mishap.

Sources said the investigation would cover every aspect to ascertain the exact cause of the tragic incident.

“The inquiry process will begin from January 23. The inquiry will be conducted by Commissioner of Railway Safety (South Central Circle) Ram Kripal. Any individual having information about this accident can record their statements before the Commission. All possible angles will be probed,” informed Jyoti Prakash Mishra, Chief PRO East Coast Railways.