Andhra Pradesh: India train crash kills 13 and injures dozens

At least 13 people were killed and dozens more were injured when a train derailed in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh on Monday, officials said.

The accident occurred when the Bhubaneswar-Secunderabad Express train derailed near the town of Vizianagaram, about 500 kilometers (310 miles) northeast of Hyderabad, the state capital.

"Thirteen passengers have been confirmed dead and over 50 injured in the train derailment," said Rahul Sharma, a spokesman for the South Central Railway.

He said that rescue teams were at the scene and were working to clear the wreckage and transport the injured to hospitals.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation, but Sharma said that heavy rains in the area may have played a role.

"There was heavy rain in the area at the time of the accident, which may have caused the tracks to become slippery," he said.

The train derailment is the latest in a series of fatal accidents on India's railways. In April, at least 23 people were killed when a train derailed in the western state of Rajasthan.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and ordered a probe into the accident.

"I am deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the train derailment accident in Vizianagaram," he said in a statement. "I have ordered a thorough probe into the accident and strict action against those responsible."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his condolences and announced compensation for the victims.

"I am deeply saddened by the news of the train accident in Vizianagaram. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured," he tweeted.

"The government will provide all possible assistance to the affected people. An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh (US$3,000) will be given to the next of kin of each deceased. Rs 50,000 (US$750) will be given to the seriously injured," he added.