Report by Badal Tah, Bhubaneswar: In a major mishap, the Samaleshwari Express hit a maintenance engine between Singapur Road and Kutaguda in Rayagada district on Tuesday, killing three railway staffs. The deceased were identified as Senior Section Engineer (Electrical) Sagar and Technicians Gouri Naidu and Suresh.
Engine and front Guard cum Luggage Van Coach of 18005 Howrah-Jagadalpur Samaleswari Express got derailed between Singapur Road & Keutguda after hitting a Tower Car engaged in working in Rayagada-Koraput Railway Section at about 1630hrs, today.
The engine also caught fire after it hit the Tower car and later it was detached from the Samaleswari rake. Train and passengers not affected by fire, only train engine was affected. Fire Brigade and Ambulance also reached the site. All senior officers from Visakhapatnam immediately left for site and reached the accident site. Train passengers were not affected by fire. Separation of train from engine was done immediately on detection of fire in engine.
Detached train from engine with 148 passengers who were in train during the incident returned back to Rayagada at 1822hrs. Another Engine was attached to the rear of the Samaleswari train to Rayagada. For the convenience of the passengers, two buses have been arranged for passengers of 18005 express for transporting them to Jagadalpur and Koraput along with food arrangements.
RAILWAYS ORDERED ENQUIRY BY COMMISSIONER OF RAILWAY SAFETY, KOLKATA. COMMISSIONER OF RAILWAY SAFETY IS AN INDEPENDENT STATUTORY AUTHORITY UNDER MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION. SENIOR OFFICALS OF RAILWAY BOARD TOOK FULL DETAILS OF THE ACCIDENT.
Total 03 deaths in this incident. All three are Railway Staff. No passenger casualty involved.
Deceased identified as Railway Staff. They are…
01. Mr. SURESH, Technician, Maintenance Tower Car.
02. SAGAR, Senior Section Engineer, Electrical, Rayagada
03. GOURI NAIDU, Technician, Electrical, Rayagada.
Railways have ordered all possible assistance to the families of the deceased staff. Keeping in view the PRIMA FACIE negligence on duty, Railways have suspended three Station Masters in the Section. Names of Station Masters on Duty:
01. S.TOPO (Keutguda Station)02. JAI PRASAD (Singapur Road A-Cabin)03. B.PRADHAN (Singapur Road Station)
Rayagada district Collector Pramod Kumar Behera, who rushed to spot said, “As per preliminary reports, the mishap occurred after the Rayagada station gave clearance to the train. So far, we have recovered one body and there could be two to three more bodies inside. We can say about the exact number of casualties after the fire is brought under control.”
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