Odisha train crash: 479 passengers from Andhra in two trains, 141 yet to be traced

Amaravati: A total of 571 passengers from Andhra Pradesh booked tickets for Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express and Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express trains that were involved in the tragic crash in Odisha’s Balasore.

In an official statement, minister Botcha Satyanarayana said they have identified 482 passengers who booked tickets for Coromandel Express and 89 for Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast. “There is no confirmation on the death of passengers from Andhra Pradesh. Nothing can be confirmed yet as relief efforts are underway,” said the minister.

A special train that started from Bhadrak towards Chennai carrying passengers who survived the triple train crash in Odisha arrived in Visakhapatnam. Two passengers who sustained injuries in the train crash reach Visakhapatnam and are currently under treatment at Seven Hills Hospital. One had a head injury while the other suffered a spine injury.

The train will reach Vijayawada at around 9.30 p.m. where nine passengers are scheduled to depart.

According to minister Botcha Satyanarayana, 482 people from Andhra Pradesh booked tickets to travel on Coromandel Express. Of these, 309 were to disembark at Visakhapatnam, 31 at Rajahmundry, five at Eluru, and 137 at Vijayawada. “We are tracing them by calling their phone numbers,” he added.

Of the total 482, 267 passengers are said to be safe, 20 sustained minor injuries, and 82 people cancelled their journeys. About 113 passengers’ mobiles were not reachable/switched off.

Further, 89 passengers from Andhra made reservations on Yeswantpur Express going to Howrah. Among them, 33 from Visakhapatnam, 3 from Rajahmundry, one from Eluru, 41 from Vijayawada, 8 from Bapat and 3 from Nellore. Of the total, 49 passengers are found to be are safe, two were injured, 10 people did not board the train. 28 passengers did not pick up their phones/ switched off.

“Hospitals from Ichchapuram-Ongole have also been alerted. We will provide treatment to the injured no matter who they are,” said the minister.

He said they have sent 25-108 ambulances and 25 private ambulances to Odisha. Apart from this, they have also prepared a chopper for emergency operation or to airlift the dead.