Officials report that the death toll from a multiple train collision in India’s eastern Odisha state has risen to 288, with 850 individuals injured.
More than 200 ambulances were dispatched to the scene in Balasore district. Odisha’s chief secretary Pradeep Jena shared that one passenger train derailed before being hit by another on an adjacent track late on Friday night.
The two services involved were the Coromandel Express and the Howrah Superfast Express, marking India’s worst train crash this century.
Mr. Jena has indicated that the death toll is anticipated to rise further as more than 100 additional doctors have been mobilized to help the situation.
Expressing his distress, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that his thoughts were with the victims’ families in the incident.
He also tweeted that rescue operations were currently in progress at the mishap site, with all possible assistance provided to those affected.
Furthermore, Home Minister Amit Shah described the incident as profoundly agonizing.
As for one male survivor, he shared that around 10 to 15 people fell on him during the accident, causing chaos.
He sustained injuries to his hand and the back of his neck. Exiting the train bogie, he witnessed the loss of limbs and facial disfigurement, as he recounted to India’s ANI news agency.
Expressing his distress, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that his thoughts were with the victims’ families in the incident.
He also tweeted that rescue operations were currently in progress at the mishap site, with all possible assistance provided to those affected.
Furthermore, Home Minister Amit Shah described the incident as profoundly agonizing. As for one male survivor, he shared that around 10 to 15 people fell on him during the accident, causing chaos.
He sustained injuries to his hand and the back of his neck. Exiting the train bogie, he witnessed the loss of limbs and facial disfigurement, as he recounted to India’s ANI news agency.
The state has declared a day of mourning.
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Several carriages of the Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express are believed to have derailed around 7:00 PM local time on 19th January (1:30 PM GMT), with some of them ending up on the opposite track.
Subsequently, the Howrah Superfast Express, en route from Yesvantpur to Howrah, is believed to have collided with the overturned carriages.
The incident also involved stationery goods train at the site, although Indian officials provided no further details.
Surviving passengers rushed to help rescue those trapped in the wreckage, while local bus companies assisted in transporting injured passengers.
Despite governments investing significant amounts in improving infrastructure, accidents are common in India’s extensive train network, according to BBC South Asia regional editor Anbarasan Ethirajan.
In 1981, during a cyclone in Bihar state, an excessively crowded passenger train derailed and plunged into a river, resulting in India’s deadliest train tragedy, claiming the lives of over 800 individuals.