Over 280 killed, 900 injured in massive rail accident in India
NEW DELHI, June 3, 2023
More than 280 people are dead and over 900 injured after 10-12 coaches of the Chennai-bound Coromandel Express derailed and fell on an adjacent track in the path of another train from Yeswanthpur to Howrah near Balasore in Odisha late last night, said media reports.
A massive rescue operation is underway at the accident site in Bahanaga Bazar near Balasore to retrieve people trapped in the derailed coaches, reported The Indian Express.
Huge cranes and bulldozers have been brought in to raise a coach which has been buried by the impact of another wagon falling on as rescue workers wield gas torches and electric cutters to pull out survivors and the dead from the mangled steel of three trains that derailed one on top of another in a horrific sequence, officials and witnesses said Saturday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has rushed to the site of the accident and was taking stock of the situation, stated the report.
He was briefed by Union railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan and other officials.
PM spoke to cabinet secretary and health minister from the site. He asked them to ensure all needed help is provided to the injured and their families, reported The Times of India.
He also said that special care must be taken to ensure that the bereaved families don’t face inconvenience and those affected keep getting assistance they require.
Later after visiting the injured people in the hospital, the Prime Minister spoke to the media.
"It's a painful incident. The Government will leave no stone unturned for the treatment of those injured. It's a serious incident, instructions issued for probe from every angle. Those found guilty will be punished stringently. Railway is working towards track restoration. I met the injured victims," he stated.
"I do not have words to express the pain. Let Almighty give us strength to overcome this situation," he added.
Officials in Bhubaneswar said 200 ambulances, 50 buses and 45 mobile health units were working at the accident site, besides 1,200 personnel. The bodies were being taken to the hospitals in all kinds of vehicles, including tractors.
About 500 units of blood were collected overnight with 900 units currently in stock, it added.
"There is a very huge response from the youth. Hundreds of people donated blood. More than 3,000 units of blood collected since last night in Cuttack, Balasore and Bhadrak. We've also donated to CM and PM relief funds," stated Dr Jayant Panda, SCB Medical College, Cuttack.
Due to the accident, 48 trains have been cancelled, 39 diverted, and 10 short-terminated, said the report citing the Railways PRO Amitabh Sharma.
The Railway Minister said a high-level committee has already been set up for inquiry into the train accident. The Commissioner of Railway Safety will conduct a thorough investigation to try and identify the root cause of the accident.
Vaishnaw said the entire focus of the government right now is on the rescue operation and the treatment of the injured.
The Railway Minister said a high-level committee has already been set up for inquiry into the train accident. The Commissioner of Railway Safety will conduct a thorough investigation to try and identify the root cause of the accident.
Vaishnaw said the entire focus of the government right now is on the rescue operation and the treatment of the injured.
Meanwhile, a preliminary probe report revealed on Saturday that the Coromandel Express entered the loop line, instead of the main line, and crashed into a goods train parked there.
"The signal was given and taken off for the up main line for 12841, but the train entered into a loop line and clashed with goods train which was on up loop line and derailed," reported the PTI quoted sources.
"In the meantime, 12864 passed through on the DW (downward) main line and two coaches were derailed and capsized," it added.
