Andhra Pradesh train accident: From PM to CM to political leaders, condolences pour in

Andhra Pradesh train accident: 8 dead, 32 injured in Vizianagaram crash

Ex gratia announced

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday condoled the loss of lives in the train accident and said he spoke to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to take stock of the situation.

He also took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh for the deceased in the accident, and ₹50,000 for the injured.

The Prime Minister has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from the PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased due to the train derailment between Alamanda and Kantakapalle section. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000. https://t.co/K9c2cRsePG

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 29, 2023

However, Vaishnaw later said that ₹10 lakh would be given to the kin of the deceased, ₹2 lakh would be given to those with grievous injuries, and ₹50,000 to those with minor injuries.

All injured shifted to hospitals.
Ex-gratia compensation disbursement started – ₹10 Lakh in case of death,
₹2 Lakh towards grievous and ₹50,000 for minor injuries.

— Ashwini Vaishnaw (मोदी का परिवार) (@AshwiniVaishnaw) October 29, 2023

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is said to have instructed officials to pay an ex gratia of ₹10 lakh each to the kin of the deceased and ₹2 lakh each to the injured from the state.

He also announced a compensation of ₹2 lakh each to the kin of the deceased and ₹50,000 each to the injured from other states.

మృతుల్లో ఏపీ వారికి రూ.10 లక్షలు, తీవ్రంగా గాయపడ్డవారికి రూ.2 లక్షల సహాయం
ఇతర రాష్ట్రాలకు చెందినవారు మరణిస్తే రూ. 2 లక్షల చొప్పున, తీవ్రంగా గాయపడ్డవారికి రూ 50వేల చొప్పున సహాయం

— CMO Andhra Pradesh (@AndhraPradeshCM) October 29, 2023

Odisha train accident: CBI charge sheet against 3 rail officials

Reactions from Andhra Pradesh

Earlier, Jagan expressed deep shock and ordered officials to take quick relief measures and ensure prompt medical services.

He asked the officials to send as many ambulances as possible from the nearby districts of Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli.

సమీప జిల్లాలైన విశాఖపట్నం, అనకాపల్లి నుంచి వీలైనన్ని అంబులెన్స్‌లను పంపించి, దగ్గరలో ఉన్న ఆస్పత్రుల్లో వైద్యం అందించేందుకు అన్నిరకాల ఏర్పాట్లు చేయాలని ముఖ్యమంత్రి సూచించారు. ఘటనకు సంబంధించి వివరాలను ఎప్పటికప్పుడు తనకు నివేదించాలన్నారు.
2/2

— CMO Andhra Pradesh (@AndhraPradeshCM) October 29, 2023

He wanted all arrangements to be made to provide medical treatment in the nearby hospitals. The details of the incident should be reported to him, he said.

He later noted that Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw telephoned him about the accident.

Andhra Pradesh Education Minister Botsa Satyanarayana was reportedly sent to the spot and the local collector and SP were also camping near the accident area and supervising the relief work.

The minister said that the authorities were focusing on providing proper medical services to the injured and are sending them to the nearby hospitals.

Deeply anguished by the shocking train mishap in Kantakapalli, Vizianagaram. CM @ysjagan has instructed officials to swiftly carry out relief operations. AP Government specifically the departments of Health and Police assure to provide all necessary assistance.#TrainMishap… pic.twitter.com/OlpseGmT3m

— Botcha Satyanarayana (@BotchaBSN) October 29, 2023

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) national general secretary N Lokesh also extended his condolences. However, he also took shots at the YSRCP government in the state

The accident “has shocked me deeply”, he said. “The government should immediately provide better medical care to those injured in this accident.”

He also said: “I appeal to the nearby Telugu Desam Party cadre to immediately go to the accident site and participate in the relief efforts.”

Lokesh continued: “My deepest condolences to the families of the victims of the Rayagada passenger train accident. I request the government to generously support the families of the injured and deceased.”

విజయనగరం జిల్లా కొత్తవలస మండలం కంటకాపల్లి వద్ద జరిగిన విశాఖ – రాయగడ ప్యాసింజర్ రైలు ప్రమాదం నన్ను తీవ్ర దిగ్భ్రాంతికి గురిచేసింది. ఈ ప్రమాదంలో క్షతగాత్రులైన వారికి ప్రభుత్వం తక్షణమే మెరుగైన వైద్య సహాయం అందించాలి. సమీపంలో తెలుగుదేశం పార్టీ కేడర్ తక్షణమే ప్రమాద స్థలానికి వెళ్లి…

— Lokesh Nara (@naralokesh) October 29, 2023

Condolences from across India

Even before the prime minister announced the ex gratia, he expressed his condolences to the deceased and prayed for the recovery of the injured.

PM @narendramodi spoke to Railway Minister Shri @AshwiniVaishnaw and took stock of the situation in the wake of the unfortunate train derailment between Alamanda and Kantakapalle section.

Authorities are providing all possible assistance to those affected. The Prime Minister…

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 29, 2023

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin recalled a similar accident in Balasore in Odisha just months ago.

“Deeply distressed by the train collision in Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh, coming just months after the tragic Balasore in June 2023. My heart goes out to the families of the victims, and I wish a speedy recovery for the injured,” he posted on X.

Deeply distressed by the train collision in Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh, coming just months after the tragic Balasore #TrainAccident in June 2023.

My heart goes out to the families of the victims, and I wish a speedy recovery for the injured.

With a significant number of…

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) October 29, 2023

“With a significant number of Indians relying on railways for their commute, it’s alarming to witness such incidents in quick succession. It’s imperative for the union government and the railways to urgently reevaluate and enhance train safety measures, ensuring the trust and safety of passengers is upheld,” he added.

Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal posted on X: “This train accident that happened in Andhra Pradesh is very sad. My condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in this accident. I pray to God that those who have been injured should recover soon and return to their homes. The frequent occurrence of such train accidents in the country is extremely worrying.”

आंध्र प्रदेश में हुई ये ट्रेन दुर्घटना बेहद दुखद है। इस हादसे में जिन परिवारों ने अपनों को खो दिया उनके साथ मेरी संवेदनाएँ। ईश्वर से प्रार्थना करता हूँ कि जो लोग घायल हुए हैं वो जल्द स्वस्थ होकर अपने घर लौटें।

देश में बार-बार इस तरह की ट्रेन दुर्घटनाओं का होना बेहद चिंताजनक है। https://t.co/DoGlttWFIg

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) October 29, 2023