BALASORE: At least, 233 people were killed and as many as 900 injured in a horrific train crash on Friday in Odisha involving the Bangalore-Howrah Superfast Express, the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express and a goods train, officials said.
Sources informed that after the accident the train collided head-on with a goods train coming from the opposite direction on the other line. Several coaches of the 12864 Bangalore--Howrah train travelling to Howrah derailed at Bahanaga Baazar in Balasore district and fell on adjacent tracks. "These derailed coaches collided with 12841 Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express and its coaches capsized too," a senior official said.
Nearly 900 people have been admitted to different hospitals across the district, all private and government hospitals have been put on alert in the nearby districts, including state capital Bhubaneswar. So far, 50 bodies could be brought out from under the overturned coaches, they said. A reporter at the spot said several people were trapped under the derailed coaches, and locals were assisting emergency services personnel to rescue them, but darkness was hindering the operation.
President Droupadi Murmu expressed grief: "Deeply anguished by loss of lives in unfortunate rail accident in Odisha, my heart goes out to bereaved families. I pray for success of rescue operations, quick recovery of injured,".
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the train accident in Odisha's Balasore district. PM spoke with Union Railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to take stock of the situation.
Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 10 lakhs in case of death of accident victims and Rs 2 lakhs for those with grievous injuries and Rs 50,000 for those with minor injuries.
This is developing story, further details will be updated..
