Rayagada: The engine of Samaleshwari Express reportedly caught fire after meeting with an accident between Singapur Road and Kutaguda in Rayagada district today. The incident occurred at around 4:30 PM today.
As per reports, the front guard-cum-luggage van and one general coach of the train got derailed in the mishap.
At least three Railway staff reportedly died in the accident. The deceased have been identified as the technician of the maintenance tower car Suresh, Senior section engineer Sagar and electric technician Gouri Naidu.
However, the confirmation is yet to be ascertained. Teams of the Odisha Fire Services Department and ambulances have reached the spot and now dousing the flames.
On-duty station masters at Keutaguda and Singapur Road have been suspended, following the incident.
Update
The engine and the front Guard-cum-Luggage van coach of 18005 Howrah-Jagadalpur Samaleswari Express got derailed between Singapur Road and 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 Express rake. The train and passengers are not affected by the fire. However, the train engine was only 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 the fire. Separation of the train from the engine was done immediately on detection of the fire in the engine.
The detached train (from the engine) with 148 passengers who were onboard in the train during the accident returned back to Rayagada at 18 22hrs. 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.
Keeping in view the prima facie negligence on duty, Railways have suspended three Station Masters in the Section who were on duty during the incident. They are S.TOPO (Keutguda Station), JAI PRASAD (Singapur Road A-Cabin) and B.PRADHAN (Singapur Road Station).
Also read: Low Pressure In Bay Of Bengal To Trigger Heavy Rain In Odisha
Kalinga AI