18 Dead & 70 Injured in Hampi Express Mishap

More than 70 people were injured & 18 people were killed in Hampi Express Mishap occurred today’s morning at 3.15 a.m. The accident happens when the Bangalore-bound Hampi Express overshot a signal and collided with a stationary goods train at Andhra Pradesh’s Penneconda station in Anantapur district at 3.15 a.m., on Tuesday morning.

The train 16591 which left Hubli at 6 p.m. on Monday, was to reach Bangalore at 6 a.m. The train originates in Karnataka and passes through parts of Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh before re-entering Karnataka.

Three bogies, one SLR and two ordinary second class coaches, were derailed due to the impact of the collision. One of the coaches also caught fire. The fire has been brought under control and rescue and relief operations were going on.

18 people were killed in this mishap including four children. The death toll is likely to increase further as several passengers are trapped inside the ill-fated bogies and are feared to have been burnt alive.

The Railway Ministry Mukul Roy has announced a compensation of Rs 5,00,000 for the dead, Rs 1,00,000 lakh for grievous injuries and Rs 50,000 for simple injuries.

Railways has set up helplines at Bangalore City, Bellary, Hospet and Hubli.

• Bangalore 080—22321166, 22156553, 22156554;
• Bellary 08392—277704;
• Hospet 08394—221788;
• Hubli 0836—2345338, 2346141, 2289826.