Saturday, October 29 2005 15:16 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Moving swiftly in the wake of train mishap in Andhra Pradesh, the Centre today (Oct 29, 2005) mobilised the Armed forces to rescue over 100 passengers trapped in the eight bogies which got submerged in river water after derailment.

Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil spoke to Andhra Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and assured all help from the Centre to meet the situation. Union Home Secretary V K Duggal also spoke to Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police Swaranjit Sen to ascertain what specific help the state required immediately.

An Army column was mobilised immediately after the mishap occurred at 4.40 AM and eight boats were sent to rescue the trapped passengers, Ashim Khurana, Joint Secretary (Disaster Management) in the Home Ministry, told reporters here.

He said the Air Force was also ready to make sorties to save the passengers from the Secunderabad-Repalle delta passenger train which fell into a river near Ramanapet in Nalgonda after derailment.

Naval divers have also been moved from Visakhapatnam, Khurana said, adding CRPF was also assisting in the rescue operation.

He said so far 15 injured people have been rescued.

The Disaster Management Control Room of the Union Home Ministry has been activated.