Bhubaneshwar: 233 were killed and 900 were injured when a passenger train hit the derailed coaches of another train in Odisha’s Balasore yesterday night contemplating immediate rescue action that continued today morning.
Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express was on its way to Howrah when its several coaches derailed and fell on adjacent tracks. Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express on its way to Chennai collided with the derailed coaches of Begaluru-Howrah Superfast Express and the its derailed coaches then hit the goods train. While many feared trapped, fifteen coaches of Coromandel Express came off the tracks, while two of the other train got derailed.
Odisha Fire Services chief Sudhanshu Sarangi is supervising rescue operations. Medical colleges and hospitals in and around Balasore have been alerted and 60 ambulances were mobilised with immediate effect.
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to assess the situation, he tweeted “Distressed by the train accident in Odisha. In this our 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”.
West Bengal chief minister Mamta Banerjee has activated an emergency control room with number 033-22143526/ 22535185 to accelerate relief and rescue operations. She is expected to review the situation and access the accident spot today.