Title - Inquiry into train accident begins

A comprehensive investigation was needed to come to a conclusion before revealing the reasons behind the Hampi Express train accident that took place at Penukonda railway station, said additional DGP (Railways), Mr V.S.K. Koumudi.
Inquiry on into mishap A comprehensive investigation was needed to come to a conclusion before revealing the reasons behind the Hampi Express train accident that took place at Penukonda railway station, said additional DGP (Railways), Mr V.S.K. Koumudi. He was here on Wednesday to launch an investigation into the train mishap that took place in the late hours of Tuesday.Speaking to reporters after inspecting the mishap site, Mr Koumudi said that it was not possible to take action against anybody before the investigation, which is to be done under the aegis of the railway safety commissioner.Mr Koumudi said that the signal divisional engineer will study the signal relay method and identify causes for the mishap. He added that the identification of 22 bodies was over, out of a total 25. Three unidentified bodies were removed to the government hospital in Anantapur. According to officials, 17 of the deceased belonged to Karnataka, four from Kurnool district and one from Anantapur district.Mr Koumudi was accompanied by railway DSP, Mr Harinath Reddy, and law and order DSP, Mr Kolar Krishna.It is learnt that Mr Koumudi, during investigation, inquired about the details of the mishap with station master Mr Sriramulu. He also enquired with the staff who were on duty when the mishap took place. Mr Koumudi also took note of the signal relay system from the divisional signal DE.Meanwhile, it is learnt that both the drivers of the ill-fated train M. Yesu Ratnam and Balaraju are at large.Sources said that Balaraju was not seen after he got treatment at the government hospital in Penukonda.