Image by Carla Antonini
In January, an Indian train crashed in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
BBC reports, “At least 39 people have been killed and dozens injured after a train derailed in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, officials say.”
The Indian railway system is one of the largest in the world, but also one of the most dangerous railway systems.
DW explains, “India’s railway network, which provides the main form of long-distance travel in the vast country, is the third largest in the world, but is poorly maintained and lacks modern signaling and communication systems. Some 23 million passengers use the network every day.”
The train crash in Andhra Pradesh is not an isolated incident.
Per BBC, “Last November, more than 140 people were killed in a derailment in India’s northern Uttar Pradesh state.”
The number of people who have been killed since the government started keeping records is staggering.
DW reports, “A government report in 2012 said that some 15,000 people were killed each year in train accidents. The worst occurred in 1981 when nearly 800 people died after a train fell into the Baghmati River in northern India.”
It is not sure what caused the derailment. Some think it was a group of Maoist while others think there were no signs of derailment.
The Guardian explains, “No evidence of sabotage has been detected, Rao said, adding the cause of derail appeared to be a technical fault. Rescue operations were under way and coaches that had not derailed had been towed from the scene.”
Only two months before this derailment in Andhra Pradesh, another derailment happened in Uttar Pradesh (in Northern India).
Per DW, “The accident comes only two months after a similar accident killed nearly 150 people near the town of Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh, the deadliest rail disaster in the country in at least five years.
Not all the coaches left the tracks.
BBC reports, “Nine coaches and the engine left the tracks near Kuneru station in Vizianagaram district, the head of East Coast Railway, JP Mishra, said.”
Prime Minister Modi expressed his condolences to the families who lost loved ones. He promised to modernize the railway system.
DW explains, “Last year, he pledged to invest $137 billion (128 billion euros) over the next five years to modernize the system.”
There are many tribes within Andhra Pradesh that do not have access to the Good News.
Per Gospel for Asia (GFA), “Although some Christians live in the state, most reside in the coastal areas or urban centers. More than 400 people groups in Andhra Pradesh are classified as unreached, having little access to the Good News.”
Pray that those missionaries working in Andhra Pradesh would be able to share Christ’s love with the people there.
DW: Dozens killed in south India train crash
BBC: India Andhra Pradesh train crash leaves 39 dead and scores injured
The Guardian: India train crash: 36 killed in Andhra Pradesh derailment
Gospel for Asia: Andhra Pradesh, India – “State of the Andhras”
