Howrah: At least 288 people were killed and more than 900 injured in a horrific train crash on Friday in Odisha involving the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express and a goods train.
Reports quoting officials said several coaches of the 12864 Bengaluru-Howrah train travelling to Howrah derailed at Bahanaga Baazar in Balasore district and fell on the adjacent tracks.
“These derailed coaches collided with 12841 Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express and its coaches capsized too,” a senior official said.
A goods train was also involved in the accident as some of the coaches of the Coromandel Express hit its wagons after getting derailed.
The accident happened around 7 pm, he said
Railway spokesman Amitabh Sharma, however, told PTI Video that the Coromandel express derailed first, and it’s 10-12 coaches fell on the path of the Bengaluru-Howrah express, which then jumped off the tracks.
Officials said that all private and government hospitals have been put on alert in the nearby districts, including state capital Bhubaneswar.
Railway Minister of India Ashwini Vaishnaw said he was rushing to the accident site, while Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik is expected to be also at the site by Saturday morning.
“Rushing to the site in Odisha. My prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured and condolences to the bereaved families.
Modi also 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 @AshwiniVaishnaw 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.”
