UPDATE: Several lives lost, many feared trapped as passenger train collides with coaches of overturned train in eastern India
by Utsav RoyLocation Balasore, Odisha, India. Date: 2023-06-02
Around 288 people have died and 900 more were left injured when the Coromandel Shalimar Express derailed and hit a goods train and a third train then crashed into the derailed coaches, in eastern India’s Odisha.
The shocking accident took place near the Bahanaga railway station in Balasore district on June 2.
Visuals showed the horrifying scenes of bodies lying around in the middle of the mangled remains of the coaches. One of the victims was seen writhing in pain on the road as people gathered at the spot. Locals tried to help the ones trapped in the coaches. One man was also seen with a busted face with blood all over. Several victims were also seen at a hospital undergoing treatment for their injuries. An aerial view of the accident showed the derailed coaches of the train which were left mangled and wrecked in this accident. The extent of the damage caused as a result of this accident was seen. The insides of one of these trains was also wrecked completely with glass shards, broken sheets among other items all across the space.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team was seen at work as they brought out the victims of this accident on a stretcher from one of the coaches.
The Coromandel express was travelling to Chennai Central Station from Shalimar Station near Kolkata. Balasore Medical College, Community Health Centers in Soro, and Gopalpur and a Primary Health Centre in Khantapada were the places where the injured were sent.
Information from the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) revealed that special teams have been sent to the side of the accident to conduct search and rescue operations. State Disaster Management minister Pramila Mallik and other senior SRC officials were directed by Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik to supervise this operation. This accident has caused a schedule change in several trains with them being either diverted or cancelled.
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee stated that the Bengal government is sending a five-six member team to assist the Odisha government in the rescue operation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also has expressed shock and sent his condolences to the victims of this accident.
Three units of the NDRF, more than 15 fire rescue teams, 200 policemen, 30 doctors, four Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force Units have reportedly been sent to the place of this accident.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also announced ex-gratia compensation for the victims. The kins of the deceased would recieve Rs 10 lakh ($12135.80) for the deceased. Rs 2 lakh ($2427.16) would be given to those seriously injured. Those who sustained minor injuries would receive Rs 50,000 (₹606.78) as compensation.
