Train Accident at Arakkonam Near Chennai

At least 15 passengers were feared dead and over 70 injured after the Chennai Beach-Vellore Cantonment Mainline Electrical Multiple Unit (MEMU) train proceeding towards Vellore rammed into the stationary Arakkonam-Katpadi Electrical Multiple Unit (EMU) passenger train at a point between Melpakkam and Chitheri stations near Arakkonam on Tuesday night.

According to preliminary reports, the Arakkonam-Katpadi EMU train was waiting for the signal when it was hit by the Vellore-bound train. Five bogies of the stationary train and three bogies of the moving train derailed after the accident. Police sources in Arakkonam said that several injured passengers have been admitted to the Government Hospital in Arakkonam while some have been referred to the Government Vellore Medical College Hospital. Ambulances from in and around Arakkonam have been pressed into service to take the injured to the hospital. Police and railway officials have rushed to the spot to undertake rescue and relief operations.

Southern Railway General Manager Deepak Krishan who accompanied senior officials to the spot said an Accident Relief Vehicle had left for Chitheri. "It is difficult to ascertain the circumstances that led to the accident. We are just rushing to the spot, there are some casualties," he told.
Source:TOI