By India Today News Desk: At least 50 people were killed and over 350 injured after a few coaches of the Chennai-bound Coromandel Express derailed in Odisha’s Balasore district on Friday evening, following which it collided head-on with another train coming from the opposite direction on the other track.
The second train involved in the accident was the Bengaluru-Howrah superfast express.
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Extending his condolences over the loss of lives and injuries, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter and wrote: “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 the Railway Minister 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,” the prime minister wrote further.
Even President Droupadi Murmu expressed grief over the incident and said she is “Deeply anguished to know about the loss of lives in an unfortunate rail accident in Balasore, Odisha.”
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Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik took to Twitter to express his concerns over the accident. He wrote,”I am worried to know about the Coromandel Express accident at Bahanga in Balasore. This is indeed a very tragic accident. The revenue minister and the SRC have been directed to visit the spot and supervise all the work. I ensure good medical treatment to all and wish the injured a speedy recovery.”
Naveen Patnaik further said, “I have just reviewed the situation about this truly tragic railway accident. Our first concern is to look after the living. I will be at the accident spot by tomorrow morning.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed grief over the incident and said that the accident at Balasore is deeply agonizing. “The NDRF team has already reached the accident site, and other teams are also rushing to join the rescue operation. My condolences to the bereaved families and praying for the speedy recovery of those injured,” he said.
Rahul Gandhi, who is currently in the United States, also expressed his grief on Twitter and said that he was “anguished by the tragic news of the accident involving the Coromandel Express, in Balasore, Odisha”.
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Taking to Twitter, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, “This painful train accident in Odisha is very unfortunate and distressing. My condolences to all the families who lost their loved ones in this tragic accident. May God give place to the departed souls at his feet and give strength and courage to their families in this difficult time.”
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said that he was deeply saddened by the terrible tragedy. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims. We urge the authorities to expedite rescue operations & provide relief to the injured. Request Congress workers to provide all possible help,” Kharge said.
Priyanka Gandhi also joined the grieving leaders and took to Twitter to say, “Sad news of the train accident in Balasore, Orissa. My deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. I pray to God that all the injured recover soon. I appeal to all Congress workers to fully cooperate in relief work.”
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Yogi Adityanath tweeted, “The train accident in Balasore, Orissa is very sad and heartbreaking. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. I pray to Lord Shri Ram for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw tweeted, “Rushing to the site in Odisha. My prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured and condolences to the bereaved families. Rescue teams mobilised from Bhubaneswar and Kolkata. NDRF, State govt. teams and Airforce also mobilised. Will take all hands required for the rescue ops.”
The Railway Minister further announced ex-gratia compensation to the victims.
It is being said that several people were trapped under the derailed coaches, and locals were assisting emergency services personnel to rescue them, but darkness was hindering the operation. CM Patnaik has directed Special Relief Secretary Satyabrata Sahoo and Revenue Minister Pramila Malik to rush to the accident site.
Four units of the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), three units of NDRF and 60 ambulances were working to rescue the injured.
