Compensation for victims of Andhra train accident

The Karnataka government on Tuesday announced a compensation of Rs 1 lakh each to families of passengers who were killed in the train mishap in Andhra Pradesh.

At least 25 passengers were killed and 55 injured after the Hubli-Bangalore Hampi Express collided with a stationary goods train at Penukonda in Anantapur district.

According to sources, the majority of the deceased that includes three women and three children were labourers hailing from Koppal, Bellary, Raichur and Gadag districts of Karnataka.

Karnataka Chief Minister DV Sadananda Gowda announced Rs 1 lakh compensation to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 25,000 each for the injured.

The railway ministry has also announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of each of the deceased, Rs 1 lakh to each of the grievously injured and Rs 50,000 each for those who received minor injuries.

The Railways will also offer job to one person each from the families of the deceased

Railways spokesperson Anil Saxena said according to preliminary information available, the driver of the Hampi Express overshot the signal and rammed the rear of a stationary goods train. "Prima facie it seems that the driver of the Hampi Express overshot the signal," media quoted him saying.

Four coaches were derailed and had to be removed by heavy cranes to restore the railway traffic by the afternoon.

Railway Minister Mukul Roy has ordered an inquiry into the accident. Terming the accident as unfortunate, he said the Commissioner Railway Safety (Southern Circle) S K Mittal will conduct a statutory inquiry and has been asked to submit a report at the earliest.

The death toll meanwhile may go up with the authorities fearing that more bodies may be trapped in the wreckage.