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Train accident not a man-made disaster: Velu

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: Union Minister of State for Railways R. Velu has described as "natural disaster" the derailment of eight coaches of Repalle-Secunderabad fast passenger between Rammanapet and Valigonda stations early on Saturday.

Talking to reporters at the Hyderabad airport along with Union Information and Broadcasting Minister S. Jaipal Reddy, he said it was not a "man-made disaster". He said that the tank, which was close to the tracks, was inspected jointly by the railway and irrigation department officials only in August and certified. The disaster was due to the breaching of a series of tanks.

The two Ministers, who earlier called on the injured at the Nalgonda hospital, said the assistant driver told them that the train was moving at a speed of 30 kmph when the tragedy occurred. The driver, who was killed in the accident, had applied brakes immediately on seeing water. "Otherwise the toll could have been higher," Mr. Jaipal Reddy added.

The two announced that at least one family member each of those killed in the accident would be provided employment in the Railways besides payment of an ex gratia of Rs. 1 lakh. This was a new policy initiated by the UPA Government.

More bodies

Mr. Velu said that 23 bodies were retrieved from bushes and down-stream. There might be more bodies and the search was on. He said that 59 persons were undergoing treatment as in-patients in the Nalgonda hospital and the condition of three among them was a "little serious." He had instructed the railway authorities to immediately shift them to Hyderabad.

He said the Commissioner, Railway Safety, would probe the cause of the accident.

Railway Board Chairman J. P. Batra was also present.

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