BALASORE, ODISHA – A tragic train accident in Odisha’s Balasore district has claimed the lives of at least thirty people and left more than 300 injured this evening. The collision occurred when a passenger train collided with the derailed coaches of another train, causing extensive damage and raising fears of more casualties as several individuals remain trapped. A third freight train was also involved in the devastating incident, as confirmed by Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena.
The ill-fated incident unfolded when multiple coaches of the Coromandel Express, traveling from Howrah to Chennai, derailed and toppled onto the adjacent tracks. The Yashwantpur-Howrah Superfast Express, approaching from the opposite direction, rammed into the derailed coaches, exacerbating the catastrophe. Railway Ministry spokesperson Amitabh Sharma provided these details during an interview with NDTV.
The two trains involved in the collision were identified as the 12841 Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express and the 12864 Yashwantpur-Howrah Superfast Express. The impact of the accident caused fifteen coaches of the Coromandel Express to derail, while two coaches from the Yashwantpur-Howrah Superfast Express were also affected.
Rescue efforts are currently underway, led by Odisha Fire Services Chief Sudhanshu Sarangi. More than a hundred personnel from the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) and its state counterpart have been deployed to locate and rescue any trapped passengers. These brave individuals are diligently working to navigate through debris and reach those in need of immediate assistance.
Upon hearing about the tragic incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his distress and shared his condolences with the affected families. He also revealed that he had spoken to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to stay updated on the situation. Prime Minister Modi tweeted:
“Distressed by the train accident in Odisha. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon. Spoke to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and took stock of the situation. Rescue ops are underway at the site of the mishap, and all possible assistance is being given to those affected.”
As the rescue operations continue, authorities are working tirelessly to provide aid to the injured and offer support to the families who have lost their loved ones. The exact cause of the accident is yet to be determined, and a thorough investigation will be conducted to ascertain the circumstances leading up to this tragic incident.
The nation mourns the loss of innocent lives in this devastating train accident and stands united in extending support to the affected individuals and their families during this difficult time.
Source by Agencies