Repalle-Secunderabad Fast Passenger Train Wreck in Andhra Pradesh Causes Many Fatalities

Near the Nadikudi-Bibinagar section of the South Central Railway, the Repalle-Secunderabad fast passenger train derails, plunging ten coaches over the bridge and submerging them in reservoir water. Hundreds of fatalities are feared, with many injured.

The train derailment occurred around 4:15 a.m. local time on Saturday, October 29, 2005 near the town of Valigonda in the State of Andhra Pradesh.

The initial reports indicate that the derailment was a result of railway tracks being washed away by the flood water caused by the heavy torrential rains that have been pounding that region for days now.

The rescue effort is being underway with the help of many rescue personnel including rescue workers from Indian Railways Police Force, Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and volunteers from the local community. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy is reportedly coordinating the rescue efforts.