Here's how BSF's prompt response helped Hirakhund train derailment survivors

Kuneru (Andhra Pradesh) [India], Jan.22 (ANI): The heroic efforts undertaken by a unit of the Border Security Force (BSF) helped several victims of Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar Express derailment, near Kuneru Village, as the officials were able to swiftly carry out rescue operations on Sunday. A BSF unit, which was travelling in one of the coaches, helped the officials to track down the exact location where the incident occurred, due to which the National Disasters Response Team (NDRF), the local police, and the paramilitary force were able to carry out search and rescue operations in the area. "A party of jawans was travelling in one of the coaches and through them we got to know about the incident. It was initially difficult to track the exact location, since it happened yesterday night. But the jawans said that the incident occurred approximately 25 kilometres away from Rayagada railway station, because of which we were able to pin point the location," BSF Commander S.N. Yadav told ANI. Upon arriving, Yadav said, gas cutting machine was used to rescue the people who were stranded inside the coaches. "We came here along with the collector at around 12.30 a.m. Upon arriving here we witnessed that heavy damage was caused to the S7 and S8 coach. We brought a gas cutting machine with us because of which we were able to rescue lot of people," he added. Meanwhile, death toll in the horrific Hirakhand Express rose to 39. Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu reached the accident site where the train derailed last night. The incident took place at around 11 p.m. yesterday near Kuneru station when most of the passengers were sleeping. The Ministry of Railways has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. two lakh each for next of kin of those killed in the train accident. It has also announced Rs. 50,000 those seriously injured and Rs. 25,000 for minor injuries. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has also announced an additional ex-gratia of Rs. five lakh compensation under Chandranna Bima. (ANI)