The incident took place around 11 PM yesterday when the train was on its way to Bhubaneswar from Jagdalpur.
The engine and nine coaches of train no- 18448 Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar Express went off the track near Kuneru station, Chief PRO of East Coast Railway J P Mishra told PTI.
So far, 23 passengers have been confirmed dead by a team of doctors that rushed to the spot, said Mishra.
Rayagada Sub-collector Muralidhar Swain said that the number of injured could be around 100. The casualty figure may go up as many people are trapped, he added.
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Services were affected on Rayagada and Vijayanagaram route, with at least 3 trains cancelled and 8 others diverted.
13 unaffected coaches including luggage-cum-guard van left for Rayagada and they will proceed to Bhubaneswar via Sambhalpur-Angul route. If necessary, extra coaches will be added at Rayagada, Mishra said.
Railways have tied up with Parvatipuram bus depot to arrange for transport. 5 buses have already been arranged to take the passengers towards Palasa and Berhampur areas.
A total of 15 buses are being arranged to take the stranded passengers to their respective destinations.
At Parvatipuram govt hospital, 22 injured people were taken for treatment from where 7 were referred to Visakhapatnam. 32 were taken to Rayagada district hospital, Mishra said.
"Helpline nos at Rayagada:BSNL LAND LINE NO. 06856-223400, 06856-223500 BSNL MOBILES 09439741181, 09439741071, AIRTEL 07681878777. Help line nos at Vizianagaram , RLY NO. 83331, 83332, 83333, 83334 BSNL LAND LINE: 08922-221202, 08922-221206," the railway ministry tweeted.
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