Did a human error lead to the Andhra Pradesh train tragedy?

Two passenger trains collided in Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh on Sunday evening, claiming at least 13 lives and leaving over 50 injured. The Indian Railways identified the two trains involved in the deadly accident as the 08532 Viskhapatnam-Palasa passenger and the 08504 Visakhapatnam-Rayagada passenger special. According to a statement, the latter rammed into the Palasa-bound train around 7 pm. It cited human error as a possible cause with the Rayagada-bound train having likely jumped the signal, reported news agency PTI. Let’s take a closer look. Human error could be the reason East Coast Railway (ECoR) on Sunday said a human error could have resulted in the collision of the two trains. “Likely reason: Human error. Overshooting of the signal by Visakhapatnam-Rayagada passenger train,” ECoR CPRO Biswajit Sahoo told reporters in Bhubaneswar. While explaining the term overshooting, the CPRO said it occurs when a train, instead of stopping at a red signal, moves on.

Andhra Pradesh train accident: Drone visuals of the accident site on Howrah-Chennai line in Vizianagaram district, where two trains collided on Sunday, leaving 13 dead. pic.twitter.com/qQGBlZ1w7N

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 30, 2023

Sahoo told NDTV, “The driver of the Visakhapatnam-Rayagada passenger train was responsible for the accident, as he overshot a signal and hit the rear end of the Palasa train. The driver of the Rayagada train was also killed in the accident.” Two coaches of the Visakhapatnam-Palasa Passenger train from the rear and the loco of Visakhapatnam-Rayagada Passenger were derailed as a result of the accident, the railway official said, adding that rescue operations are underway. Accident relief trains and other rescue equipment have been engaged and helpline numbers have been issued, he said. “Investigation is still on and the picture will be clearer only after that.” As per NDTV, relief and rescue operations on the track are likely to be completed by evening today. The deadly accident The collision took place at roughly 7.10 pm between Alamanda and Kantakapalle section in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. According to the CPRO, around 100 passengers were in the two ill-fated trains. Hindustan Times quoted Sourabh Prasad, divisional railway manager of the Waltair division, as saying, “The Vishakhapatnam-Palasa train was waiting on the track between Alamanda and Kantakpalli railway stations of the Kothavalasa block when the collision took place.” Because of the accident, four bogies of the second train were derailed onto the adjacent track. It also crashed electric lines and throwing the region into pitch darkness, hampering rescue operations. “Soon after we came to know about the incident, the local police, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and revenue authorities rushed to the spot to take up rescue and relief operations,” the DRM said. Several videos and photos shared on social media showed multiple mangled coaches in pitch darkness. The railway officials said both passenger trains had 14 coaches each. According to NDTV, so far, at least 18 trains have been cancelled and 22 have been diverted. Dr S Appala Naidu, Superintendent of the Government General Hospital In-Charge, Vizianagaram, told News18, “Ambulances have been sent to the accident sites and as of now we have received 20 injured people, out of which three are serious.” “More ambulances are on the way so the number of injured persons might increase. We haven’t received any bodies in the hospital as of now. However, there are reports of death of some passengers too.” According to ANI, Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy issued orders to coordinate other government departments including health, police and revenue to take quick-relief measures and ensure that the injured receive prompt medical services. A helpline number regarding the train accident has been released by the East Coast Railways. Bhubaneswar- 0674-2301625, 2301525, 2303069 Waltair – 0891-2885914. Condolences pour in Expressing shock over the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the PM’s National Relief Fund for the families of those who died in the accident and Rs 50,000 for the injured. Taking to X, the Prime Minister’s office said, ““The Prime Minister has announced a compensation of ₹ 2 lakh from the PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased due to the train derailment between Alamanda and Kantakapalle section. The injured would be given ₹ 50,000.”

The Prime Minister has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from the PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased due to the train derailment between Alamanda and Kantakapalle section. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000. https://t.co/K9c2cRsePG

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 29, 2023

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“Authorities are providing all possible assistance to those affected. The Prime Minister extends condolences to the bereaved families and prays that the injured recover soon,” PMO added. President Droupadi Murmu also expressed shock over the accident and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

Anguished that the derailment of a passenger train in Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh caused loss of lives. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) October 29, 2023

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that all injured people have been shifted to different hospitals for treatment and announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for families of the dead. He wrote, “All injured shifted to hospitals. Ex-gratia compensation disbursement started Rs 10 lakh in case of death, Rs 2 lakh towards grievous and Rs 50,000 for minor injuries.”

All injured shifted to hospitals.
Ex-gratia compensation disbursement started - ₹10 Lakh in case of death,
₹2.5 Lakh towards grievous and ₹50,000 for minor injuries.

— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) October 29, 2023

Andhra Pradesh CM announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs 10 lakhs for the dead and Rs 2 lakhs for those seriously injured. If the deceased belong to other states, their families will receive Rs 2 lakh each and injured persons will get Rs 50,000 assistance. Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik condoled the death of passengers and wished speedy recovery for those injured in the tragedy. He further directed the state’s Special Relief Commissioner and collectors of Rayagada and Koraput districts to extend immediate help in rescue operations. Recent train disasters India has the world’s largest rail network. However, the country has witnessed some serious disasters in the past few years. The latest Andhra Pradesh train accident is the third one in six months, wherein passengers lost their lives. Earlier this month, at least four people died and 90 passengers were injured after six coaches of North-East Superfast Express derailed in Buxar, Bihar. A deadly accident occurred in June this year where three trains collision killed at least 291 passengers and injured a thousand others in Odisha. The Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, and a goods train were involved in the accident which took place 2 June near the Bahanaga Bazar station. It is still considered the worst train accident in the last two decades. With inputs from agencies