The accident occurred at about 12:45 p.m., just five minutes after Train No. 18117 departed Naupada station. Railway officials said the five teenagers were walking on the tracks when the express train struck them.
The deceased have been identified as 17‑year‑olds Anguwada Visakha Rao, Janni Dileep Kumar and Janni Sharat Kumar – all from Damara village in Tekkali mandal – and 17‑year‑old Savara Shiva of Savara Street in Meliaputti village. All four were first‑year students at a government junior college in Tekkali and died at the scene.
The fifth student, 18‑year‑old Ganguwada Salman Raju of Damara village, sustained critical injuries. He was taken to the government hospital in Tekkali after an ambulance reached the site at 1:30 p.m.
Senior railway officials, along with Railway Protection Force and Government Railway Police personnel, rushed to the scene. The Self‑Propelled Accident Relief Medical Equipment (SPARME) from Palasa was also mobilised to provide medical assistance.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock at the tragedy, offered condolences to the families and directed authorities to ensure advanced medical care for the injured student and support for the bereaved families.
Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu and Minister K. Atchannaidu also conveyed their sympathies and sought details of the incident. Srikakulam Collector Swapnil Dinkar Pundkar and Superintendent of Police K. V. Maheswar Reddy have ordered a detailed report and a police case has been registered, with an investigation underway.