Seven officials, including two loco drivers, have been suspended by the Railways in connection with last Tuesday's rail mishap in Andhra Pradesh that claimed 25 lives.
The May 22 accident of Hubli-Bangalore Hampi Express at Penukonda station in Anantapur district of South Western Railway also injured 55 people.
The suspended officials included station master of Penukonda Station of Bangalore division M. Sri Ramulu, traffic inspector of Hindupur Station of the same division C. Ramanjaneyulu, commercial inspector of Hospet Station of Hubli Division B. S. Chatrappa and senior commercial clerk of Hospet station parce office P. Hanumanthappa, a railway release said. Besides, loco pilot of Guntakal division of South Central Railway M. Yesu Ratnam, assistant loco pilot of the division G. Balaraju and loco inspector V. Vinod Kumar have also been placed under suspension. Ratnam and Balaraju were injured in the accident.
The mishap took place when the Bangalore-bound Hampi Express rammed into a stationary goods train after its driver apparently overshot the signal near the Penukonda station.
An inquiry has already been ordered into the incident and Commissioner Railway Safety (Southern Circle) has been asked to submit a report at the earliest. According to railways prima facie it suggests that the driver of Hampi Express overshot the signal.