In a tragic crash in India‘s eastern Odisha state, a collision involving three trains resulted in a devastating loss of life.
India train crash: Here is the latest death toll update
According to officials, the death toll has risen to at least 261 people, with around 1 000 others treated for serious injuries.
The catastrophe unfolded when a passenger train derailed onto an adjacent track and was subsequently struck by an incoming train on Friday, 2 June 2023.
The collision also impacted a stationary freight train located nearby, amplifying the scale of the disaster. The crash, described as the worst train accident in India this century, has left the nation in shock.
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What caused the deadly India train crash?
The precise cause of the incident remains unclear, prompting authorities to initiate a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances leading to the collision.
Preliminary reports indicate that several carriages from the Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express derailed in the Balasore district around 19:00 local time.
The derailed carriages then collided with a stationary goods train, causing some coaches to veer onto the opposite track. In a subsequent sequence of events, the Howrah Superfast Express travelling from Yesvantpur to Howrah crashed into the overturned carriages.
Atul Karwal, the chief of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), described the intensity of the impact, stating,
“The force with which the trains collided has resulted in several coaches being crushed and mangled.”
This devastating accident ranks as the third deadliest in the history of Indian railways, highlighting the magnitude of the tragedy.
Immediate response efforts were mobilised to aid the victims of the crash. Over 200 ambulances and a substantial number of doctors, nurses, and rescue personnel were dispatched to the scene.
The rescue operation, involving a concerted search through the wreckage, has now concluded, enabling the commencement of restoration work at the crash site, as confirmed by India’s South Eastern Railway company.
Fortunately, all trapped and injured passengers have been successfully rescued. The extent of injuries sustained by those transported to local hospitals remains uncertain at this time, awaiting further medical assessments.
Survivors recall horror moments leading up to the crash
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, recognising the gravity of the situation, has personally arrived at the accident site to oversee the response efforts.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit the injured victims in the hospital later on Saturday, offering support and condolences to those affected by the tragedy.
Eyewitnesses and survivors have recounted scenes of chaos and shared accounts of local villagers heroically assisting in the rescue operations.
Mukesh Pandit, who was trapped for a harrowing half-hour before being saved by locals, recalled hearing a “thunderous sound” moments before his carriage overturned.
Speaking to the BBC, he expressed the immense loss, stating:
“A lot of people died in the coach I was traveling in. I saw someone had lost their hand, someone had lost their leg, while someone’s face was distorted.”
As the nation mourns the loss of lives and prays for the swift recovery of the injured, the focus now turns to the ongoing investigation into the cause of the crash.
Efforts will also be directed towards providing necessary support and assistance to the affected individuals and their families during this tragic time.
This is a developing story, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.