Latest News from India - 15 killed in Tamil Nadu train collision

At least 15 people were killed as a train rammed a stationary train near Arakonam junction in Tamil Nadu's Vellore district Tuesday night, police said. The number of injured was around 80.

The accident occurred as the hit the Arakonam-Katpadi passenger train that was waiting for a signal at around 9.30 p.m. At least three bogeys were thrown off the tracks in the collision.

Arakonam is around 65 km from Chennai.

"At least 15 people are feared dead and 50 injured. The accident happened near Chitteri railway station," a police official at the spot told IANS.

Vellore MP Abdul Rehman said he had been told by reliable sources that at least 15 people had been killed in the accident.

Scores of people were trapped in the wreckage, police said. Efforts are in full swing to free the trapped people was on but the darkness and heavy rain were hampering the rescue operations.

According to the Inspector General of Police (Northern Zone) Shailendra Babu, teams had reached the spot and rescue and relief operations were on.

The injured, said to be around 80, were taken to various hospitals in Vellore while teams of doictors had also reached the accident site.