32 Dead in India Train Derailment

At least 32 people died and 54 were believed to be injured after Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar Express derailed in Vizianagaram District of Andhra Pradesh in India, officials said today. The incident took place around 11 p.m. yesterday when the train was on its way to Bhubaneswar from Jagdalpur, NDTV reported. Rayagada sub-collector, Muralidhar Swain, said to PTI news agency that the number of injured could be around 100.  “The casualty figure may go up as many people are trapped,” he added. The injured have been shifted to two hospitals at Parbatipuram and Rayagada. A team of doctors has reached the accident site.

Services were affected on Rayagada and Vijayanagaram route, with several trains diverted. A total of four accident relief vans rushed from different places. Priority is treatment, shifting of injured passengers to nearest hospital.  “@sureshpprabhu [the Indian railroad minister] personally monitoring situation, directed senior officials to reach site immediately, ensure prompt rescue and relief ops,” the Indian Railroad Ministry said in a series of tweets.