At least 10 people were reported dead after two commuter trains collided in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday. According to local media reports, the accident occurred at around 11:15 a.m. local time in the Warangal district of the southeastern state.
Officials said that at least 60 people were injured in the accident, with dozens being rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. Reports indicated that the 10 people killed were passengers in one of the trains.
Railway officials said that the two trains, the Bhadrachalam-Hyderabad passenger express and the Lingampalli-Hyderabad express, collided after one of them derailed. The Bhadrachalam-Hyderabad passenger express is believed to have been coming from the town of Bhadrachalam when the accident occurred.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation, though railway officials said that the derailment was likely caused by heavy rains in the area earlier in the day. Authorities have launched a parallel inquiry into the incident.
The accident has sparked outrage amongst local residents and politicians, with Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy directing his cabinet and district officials to visit the site and ensure proper arrangements for those affected. President Ram Nath Kovind also expressed his condolences and said the government would provide all possible assistance in the rescue and rehabilitation of the affected people.