Dozens dead, scores injured as express train derails in India's Andhra Pradesh

An express train derailed in India leaving at least 36 dead and more than 50 injured in the latest disaster to hit one of the largest railway networks in the world.

Officials said the train from Jagdalpur to Bhubaneswar went off the tracks near the Kuneri Station in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh.

(It was not immediately known if any foreign national was killed in the accident -- scores of Bangladeshis, for instance, travel on this route for medical treatment to south Indian cities, like Vellore and Chennai.)

"Nine coaches were derailed of which three have turned and fallen off the track," Reuters quoted local Superintendent of Police LKV Ranga Rao as saying. "Most of the casualties and deaths are from the three sleeper-class compartments."

A portion of broken railway track is seen after coaches of a Hirakhand express train from Jagdalpur to Bhubaneswar derailed near Kuneri station, Andhra Pradesh, outside the town of Rayagada, in this still image from video Jan 22, 2017. ANI via Reuters TV

No evidence of sabotage has been detected, the senior police officer said, adding it appeared to be a technical fault.

Rescue operations have started and coaches, which had not derailed, have been removed from the spot of the accident.

"Anguished to learn about the train accident near Vizianagaram," Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said on Twitter, offering his condolences to the families of the victims. "We are investigating the reason for accident."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also tweeted that the tragedy was "saddening" and said the railways ministry was working to ensure quick relief and rescue operations.

IANS reported that the incident occurred around 11:30pm, around 30 km outside the town of Raigarh.

"Besides the engine, the luggage van, two general coaches, two sleeper coaches, one AC three tier coach and an AC two tier coach derailed," it quoted Chief PRO of East Coast Railway JP Mishra.

"Four accident relief vans have been sent to the accident site," the official said. Army has also been deployed to carry out rescue operations.

Derailed coaches of a Hirakhand express train from Jagdalpur to Bhubaneswar are seen near Kuneri station, Andhra Pradesh, outside the town of Rayagada, in this still image from video Jan 22, 2017. ANI via Reuters TV

The IANS report said that Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu was personally monitoring the situation.

Indian railway, which was built during the British colonial rule, has an appalling safety record. Last year, more than 100 people died in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh in a similar derailment.

India recorded 27,581 railway deaths in 2014, the most recent year for which figures are available, with most victims falling from, or being struck by, moving trains, reports Reuters.