New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the train accident site in Odisha’s Balore and said those responsible shall be severely punished. The Indian government is standing with those who lost their family members in the tragic incident that killed atleast 288 and left 800 injured.
PM Modi landed in an Air Force chopper near the site of the accident, 170 km from Bhubaneshwar. PM Modi inspected the site with fellow cabinet colleagues; Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
“Took stock of the situation at the site of the tragedy in Odisha. words can’t capture my deep sorrow. we stand committed to providing all possible assistance to those affected. I laud all those working round the clock, on the ground and helping out in relief work”, tweeted PM Modi.
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 mobilized with immediate effect. West Bengal chief minister Mamta Banerjee has activated an emergency control room with numbers 033-22143526/ 22535185 to accelerate relief and rescue operations.
Meanwhile, the former railway minister also said that an anti-collision device in the trains could have averted the tragedy. CM Banerjee also announced a compensation of Rs. 5 lakhs for the victims of the tragedy belonging to West Bengal.
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 its derailed coaches then hit the goods train. While many feared being trapped, fifteen coaches of Coromandel Express came off the tracks, while two of the other train got derailed.