Odisha crash: 60-year-old from Srikakulam is Andhra’s first casualty, 25 yet to be traced
According to the minister, the details of passengers from Andhra who might have travelled in unreserved coaches is yet to be known
By Sri Lakshmi Muttevi Published on 4 Jun 2023 8:13 AM GMT
Visakhapatnam: The Andhra Pradesh government on Sunday confirmed the first casualty from the state in the Odisha train crash that left at least 288 people dead and over 1,100 injured. The horrifying triple train crash involving the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, and a goods train occurred on 2 June.
The victim from Andhra has been identified as 60-year-old C. Gurumurthi of Santhabommali in Srikakulam. Gurumurthi, who was residing in Odisha’s Balasore, died while being treated at the Balasore district hospital. A retired employee who used to work in Odisha is said to visit Odisha every month to collect his pension.
Gurumurthi’s mortal remains were handed over to his family members who performed the cremation in Odisha on Saturday.
Chief minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 10 lakhs for the next kin of the deceased, Rs. 5 lakhs for severely injured, and Rs. 1 lakh for minor injuries.
25 missing passengers yet to be traced
Speaking to the media, minister Botch Satyanaryana said a total of 695 passengers booked tickets for the Coromandel Express (480) and the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express (211).
Among the total, the government has identified 553 passengers who are safe. Twenty of the passengers are injured. Among the injured, five of them are currently being treated in a few hospitals in Vizag.
“We are yet to trace the whereabouts of about 25 passengers. Their mobile phones are either switched off or is unreachable. Our teams are visiting their residence to find out about them,” said the minister.
Currently, IT minister Gudivada Amarnath is in Odisha along with a team of IAS officers and has interacted with the injured passengers. “Our teams have received around 30 photographs of unidentified deceased passengers. However, it is yet to be identified if they hailed from Andhra Pradesh,” said Minister Botcha Satyanarayana.
No details of unreserved passengers
According to the minister, the details of passengers from Andhra who might have travelled in unreserved coaches are yet to be known. “We will get those details only if the families of the missing persons approach the helpline desks in all the districts,” he said.
AP sends 20 ambulances, 21 funeral vehicles
The Andhra Pradesh government has dispatched 20 ambulances and 21 funeral vehicles to the train accident site at Bahanaga Bazaar in Odisha, said health minister Vidadala Rajini on Saturday.
