PENUKONDA / BANGALORE: Twenty-five people were killed and 100 injured after the Bangalore-bound Hampi Express rammed into a stationary goods train at Penukonda railway station in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh at 3 am on Tuesday. Most of the passengers were asleep when the mishap occurred after the loco pilot is said to have overshot the signal and rammed into the goods train on platform II.The second class luggage-cum-brake van (SLR) next to engine telescoped and caught fire. Officials suspect that some inflammable material might have been loaded into the luggage van. The bodies were charred, making identification difficult. Among the deceased, 17 were from the women’s bogie, which bore the brunt of the impact. The general second class coach was also affected. The death toll is likely to rise as many passengers are said to be trapped in the bogies.While 24 people died on the spot, one person identified as Maganappa, died in a Pavagada hospital. Most of the victims were from Karnataka. The injured were taken to hospitals in Pavagada, Anantapur, Hindupur, Puttaparthi, Penukonda and Bangalore.Rescue efforts were hampered by darkness and operations speeded up after spotlights were positioned, according to eyewitnesses. “Doors to the third coach were jammed and around 10-15 people were trapped. They were freed around 6 am with the use of cutters,” said Ramulu, a worker from Uttarahalli in Bangalore who was slightly injured.Of the dead, 18 were identified and bodies were kept in Anantapur mortuary.Stranded passengers were brought to Bangalore in 12 buses as well as the Bangalore-bound Rajdhani and Udyan Express. The passengers were given refreshments and medical aid before being discharged at the Bangalore City Railway Station.The district administration brought seven fire tenders and brought the flames under control. Train driver Munirathnam and assistant Balaraj were admitted in Puttaparthi Sathya Sai hospital with serious injuries.
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