South Asia
Train Accident At least 261 dead, over 650 injured in horrific train mishap in India's Odisha
Balasore, Odisha, June 3: At least 261 people were killed in a horrific three-train accident in the eastern Indian state of Odisha on Friday. More than 650 people were injured in this incident. Several bodies are still trapped inside the mangled coaches of the train. It is feared that the death toll may increase.
India's South Eastern Railway said the accident took place in Bahangabazar area of Odisha's Baleshwar district at around 7 pm local time on Friday (June 2). At least 261 people have died in the accident so far. Many injured.
According to local media sources, the Kolkata-bound Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express train derailed in Bahangabazar area. The Coromandel Express train bound for Chennai from Shalimar in Kolkata collided with the carriage of the derailed train while crossing the area. This terrible accident happened. A few coaches of Cormandal Express also rammed into a coach of a freight train at the spot.
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Most of the passengers of the stricken Coromandel Express train are said to be residents of West Bengal.
However, some eyewitnesses claimed that the Coromandel Express train first rammed a freight train standing on the same line from behind. In this, the engine of the passenger train climbed over the goods carriage and several unprotected and reserved sleeper coaches derailed and fell on the side tracks.
Another express train bound for Howrah hit those coaches. A collision between three trains is believed to have killed so many people.
After the accident, members of India's National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) and Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) started rescue operations. An Indian Air Force helicopter has also been kept ready for rescue operations. The country's army and navy are ready.
According to local media, several bodies are still trapped inside the train, as a result of which the death toll is believed to increase.
The injured were rescued and sent to various nearby hospitals.
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Many people of West Bengal and citizens of Bangladesh travel from Kolkata to various hospitals in South India mainly by Coromandel Express.
Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata said they are monitoring the accident.
The Deputy High Commission has also launched a hotline number in this regard: +91-9038353533 (WhatsApp).
Condoling the accident, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “Shocked by the train accident in Odisha. Condolences to the bereaved family at this difficult time. May the injured get well soon. I have also spoken to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnab about the situation.”
Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of those killed in the accident. Besides, he said to give assistance of 50,000 rupees to the injured. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnab announced Rs 10 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs 2 lakh to the seriously injured.
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President of India Draupadi Murmu tweeted, “Deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life in the unfortunate train accident at Balasore, Odisha. My condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for the success of the rescue operation and the speedy recovery of the injured.”
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnab and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik visited the accident site today (Saturday) morning. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is going to the crash site in a helicopter.
The Railway Minister said that a high-level investigation committee has been formed to probe the incident. After the investigation, the real cause of the accident will be known.
