Coromandel Train Accident: About 178 passengers from Andhra Pradesh were on board

HYDERABAD: About 178 passengers from Andhra Pradesh were on board the Coromandel Express when it crashed in Balasore, Odisha on Friday evening.

According to DRM Waltair East Coast Railways' Anup Satpathy, about 178 passengers from Andhra Pradesh were travelling in trains affected by the Odisha Train Accident. However, the number of fatalities and injuries has yet to be determined. We're gathering more information, he added.

YS Jagan Mohan Reddy dispatches special team to assist rescue operations in Odisha train tragedy

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy formed a high-level team on Saturday, chaired by IT Minister G Amarnath, to visit the Odisha accident site and assist in the coordination of relief and rescue operations.

The Chief Minister met with CMO officials on Saturday to examine the issue and directed them to contact the Odisha CMO and Railway officials.

"Establish enquiry and grievance cells in the offices of the district collectors to deal with grievances and respond immediately," said Chief Minister YS Jagan.

The IAS officers' committee sent to Odisha includes civil supplies commissioner Arun Kumar, commercial taxes joint commissioner Anand and Srikakulam joint commissioner Naveen, along with the IT Minister.

Further, the Chief Minister instructed officials to make arrangements in hospitals in Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, and Srikakulam districts to treat the injured, including keeping ambulances ready.

Expressing profound sorrow over the accident at Balasore in Odisha where at least 233 people died and over 900 people have been injured, Chief Minister YS Jagan directed officials to check if any passengers from Andhra Pradesh were among the deceased and injured.

"Wielding gas torches and electric cutters, rescuers are continuing to pull out survivors and the dead from the mangled steel of three trains that derailed one on top of another in a horrific sequence on Friday evening, killing at least 233 people and injuring more than 900 in Odisha's Balasore district," officials said.

Meanwhile, the Waltair Division of the East Coast Railways zone has set up three helplines at Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, and Srikakulam for relief. Helpline numbers have been set up at Visakhapatnam (0891 - 2746330 & 0891 – 2744619), Vizianagaram (08922 - 221202 & 08922 – 221206), and Srikakulam (08942 – 286213 and 08942 – 286245).