At least 16 people were injured after a passenger train rammed into a stationary goods train at Kavarapettai in Tamil Nadu last night. No casualties have been reported. Following the collision, at least 12 to 13 coaches were derailed. The injured passengers have been moved to nearby hospitals. The incident took place at Kavarapettai near Gummidipoondi in the Chennai division of Southern Railway, when Mysore-Darbhanga Bagmati Express was passing Ponneri, and the train entered the loop line, colliding with a goods train that was standing there. Thirty personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are engaged in the relief and rescue operation.
       

Tamilnadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has ordered the officials to render all possible assistance to those who are undergoing treatment in the hospitals. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi visited the injured at the hospitals and enquired about the treatment. Arrangements have been made for the other passengers to reach their destinations by bus.

Train movement on both sides in the section was affected. Trains passing through Gummidipoondi have been diverted through Arakkonam. Two trains have been cancelled. Over a thousand passengers are stranded at Chennai’s Central Railway Station due to the prevailing situation. General Manager of Southern Railway, RN Singh said, normalcy will be restored by today afternoon.