NEW DELHI, July 2: At least 22 people were killed and another 30 injured when a train derailed and fell off a bridge in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday, news reports said.

Twelve bodies were recovered from one of four compartments of the Golconda Express, which jumped the track and off the bridge. The train’s engine also plummeted down.

About 10 people apparently perished when the falling train smashed into pedestrians and fishermen below standing near the bridge. The train wreck occurred at 10:25am (0925am PST).

Rescue and relief operations were being hampered by heavy rainfall in the area, which prevented the use of blow torches to open the coaches, reports said.

The report added it took considerable time for relief workers to reach the area after the accident.

Officials quoted said many people could still be alive in the damaged train compartments.—dpa