Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy expressed shock over the train accident at Penukonda in Anantpur district in the wee hours today and is expected to visit the accident spot by Tuesday afternoon.

The chief minister would be leaving for the accident spot soon and would also go to meet the injured persons in hospitals, sources said.

As many as 16 passengers were reported killed and over 40 others injured when the Bangalore-bound hampi express rammed into a goods train.

Reddy directed Anantpur district collector and superintendent of police to rush to the accident spot and take up relief and rescue measures. He also directed that necessary medical help be provided to the injured passengers.

State chief secretary Pankaj Dwivedi spoke to the district collector over phone and enquired about the relief operations. He is constantly monitoring the situation and co-ordinating with railway officials, a press release from the CMO said.

Meanwhile, leader of opposition N Chandrababu Naidu also expressed shock over the train accident and requested the government to provide all assistance to victims. He conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families.

State revenue minister N Raghuveera Reddy and school education minister S Sailajanath, who hail from Anantpur district, rushed to Penukonda to oversee the rescue and relief operations.

MP K Chiranjeevi, who was in Anantpur campaigning for the congress, also rushed to Penukonda and consoled the injured passengers in hospital.