PATNA, Oct 29 (UNI): Railway Minister Lalu Prasad described the train mishap near Sikendrabad in Andhra Pradesh as a natural calamity and directed his junior minister to personally supervise the relief and rescue operation.
Expressing profound grief over the accident, which occurred during early hours today, he said the accident took place when the passenger train was crossing the rail bridge which was badly damaged due to breach in the embankment of a nearby water reservoir.
He said the water pressure was high in the reservoir following heavy rains during the past five days which resulted in the breach of the embankment.
He said the Minister of State for Railways R Velu had reached the spot for monitoring the rescue and relief work.
Prasad said of the 18 bogies which got derailed, three were submerged.
He said three bodies, including that of the driver, had been recovered so far adding the exact number of the casualties could be ascertained later.
Compensation to the victiwould be announced after supervision by the Minister, he said.
A team of army had reached the spot to assist the rescue operation, he stated.
