At least six people, including Karnataka MLA Venkatesh Nayak, were killed when Bangalore-Nanded Express train collided with a lorry in Andhra Pradesh's Anantapur district.

The bodies of five dead people including, three passengers, one railway staff and the lorry driver, were shifted to to Government Hospital at Penukonda.

The accident occurred at around 2:33 am on Monday between Rangepalli and Penukonda Stations on Dharmavaram Section of Bangalore Division of South Western Railway. At least 25 people have been reported injured and four coaches of the train derailed after the collision.

UPDATES:

Some trains on south central and south western railway lines have been diverted-Anil Saxena,PRO,Railways on Bangalore-Nanded train accident.

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu announces ex gratia will be given to injured and kin of dead in Bangalore-Nanded express accident.

The accident occurred at a manned level crossing gate at Madakasira in Penukonda mandal of Anantapur district where the brakes of the lorry, which was carrying huge granites, failed and it hit the Bangalore-Nanded Express. Rescue work is underway at the accident site.

Manned Level Crossing Gate No.77 "was closed to facilitate safe passage of Train No.16594. A loaded lorry approached the LC Gate at high speed, broke the closed boom gate and hit the H-1 coach of the running train No.16594. It resulted in derailment of four coaches," the press release said.

The train was on its way to Nanded in Maharashtra from Bengaluru in Karnataka when the accident happened. At least 20 buses were arranged for the stranded passengers to take them to their respective destinations, IANS reported.

The accident has affected the trains that run on Bengaluru-Guntakal route.

The Indian Railways has released helpline numbers. Helpline number at the desk at Bangalore City Railway Station – 08022354108, 0731666751, 08022156553. Helpline numbers at the accident site – 09701374062, 09493548005, 09448090399, 0873763945549.

Help line desk at Bangalore Cantonment – 08023339163, Railway – 58885, Hindupur Station –08556220444, Penukonda Station – 0855220244 and Dharmavaram Station – 08559224422.