14 Killed, 50 Injured in Andhra Pradesh Train Crash Due to Driver Error
Investigation indicates signal oversight as cause of train collision in southeast India; Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy pledge assistance amid rising concerns over rail safety.
- The fatal train crash in Andhra Pradesh, South India, is attributed to a signal oversight by the driver of the Vizag-Raigad passenger train; causing the collision with a stalled train near Kothsavatsala, resulting in 14 deaths and 50 injuries. The driver was also among the dead.
- Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy and Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded to the tragedy by pledging support and promising free treatment for the injured in government-run facilities, as well as financial aid to the families of those affected.
- The accident is considered yet another blow to India's rail safety reputation, with critics citing repeated rail tragedies under PM Modi's administration. This incident comes four months after another deadly three-train collision in Odisha, East India, which resulted in 288 deaths and 1,200 injuries.
- Human error is a common cause for train accidents in India, with outdated signalling equipment also a significant contributing factor; India witnesses hundreds of rail accidents each year, prompting calls for improved safety measures in the railway system.
- Ex-gratia compensation announced for victims included ₹2 lakh from the PM's National Relief Fund for the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. Andhra Pradesh's Chief Minister ordered officials to pay an ex-gratia amount of ₹10 lakh each to kin of the deceased and ₹2 lakh each to the injured from the state.
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