Train accident triggered by a rumour in Andhra Pradesh's Vizianagaram District

Train accident triggered by a rumour in Andhra Pradesh's Vizianagaram District: 8 feared dead as train runs over them

The passengers pulled the chain and alighted the train as rumours spread that one of the compartments of the Bokaro Express that they were in had caught fire. As it was dark, they did not notice the oncoming train.

Eight people are feared dead and two injured after being run over by a speeding train in Vizianagaram District in Andhra Pradesh. The accident took place at Gotlam village station, close to Vizianagaram.

The CPRO has said: The passengers were of the Alappuzha-Dhanbad train who came under the Rayagada-Vijayawada passenger train coming from the opposite direction on the adjacent track.

It started after passengers of the Bokaro Express (Alleppy to Dhanbad), proceeding to Bokaro Steel city, pulled the chain at the railway yard at Gotlam station near Vizianagaram town when they heard a rumour that a compartment of the train was on fire. They then alighted the train and jumped onto the tracks at around 6.50pm.

It was dark and the passengers didn't see the Rayagada-Vijaywada passenger train coming from the opposite direction on the adjacent track. The Raigarh-Vijaywada train ran over them, an East Coast railway spokesperson has said.  

"The passengers pulled the chain as rumours spread that one of the compartments (of Bokaro Express) had caught fire. As it was dark, they did not notice the oncoming train", the railway official said. 

"The passengers pulled the chain as rumours spread that one of the compartments (of Bokaro Express) had caught fire. As it was dark, they did not notice the oncoming train", the railway official said.
Senior railway officials have left for the spot, the spokesperson added.
Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge termed the incident as "most tragic" and instructed the officials to ensure the injured get speedy treatment.
An inquiry has been ordered into the incident.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy expressed anguish over the accident.
Reddy, who was in Bengaluru, spoke to the district Collector and the SP over phone and asked them to supervise the relief operations, an official release said in Hyderabad.

Courtesy:dnaindia dot com