At least 50 have been killed and around 350 others have been injured after Coromandel Express train derailed in Odisha's Balasore on Friday evening.
Several bogies of the Chennai-Howrah Coromandel Express are reported to have derailed after it collided with a goods train.
At least 50 have been killed and around 350 others have been injured after Coromandel Express train derailed in Odisha's Balasore on Friday evening.
Three trains are involved in the accident. The Coromandel Express train derailed and several coaches fell on the track running parallel to it. A second train on that track then crashed into the derailed coaches of the Coromandel Express.
The derailed coaches of the Coromandel Express also crashed into a goods train at the site, said officials.
The accident toocollidedk place near Bahanaga Station in Odisha's Balasore.
Over 350 people have been admitted to different hospitals across the district, officials said, adding that all private and government hospitals have been put on alert in the nearby districts, including state capital Bhubaneswar.
Visuals from the site shared by PTI show derailed bogies and injured persons.
The accident happened around 7.20 pm near Bahanaga Bazar station.
The Coromandel Express was on the way to Chennai Central station from Shalimar station near Kolkata, said officials.
In a video shared by ANI, Railway Spokesperson Amitabh Sharma said that 10-12 coaches of the Coromandel Express derailed.
"Around 7 pm, 10-12 coaches of Coromandel Express derailed near Baleshwar, which runs from Shalimar-Howrah to Chennai, and infringed the track on opposite direction. Shortly train which goes from Yashwantpur to Howrah, dashed [into the derailed coaches] on their infringed track. Three-four coaches of this train were derailed," said Sharma in the video shared by ANI.
The derailed coaches from the Coromandel Express also collided into a third train, a good train.
At least 50 have been killed and around 350 others have been injured in the Odisha train accident.
So far, 50 bodies could be brought out from under the overturned coaches, they said.
Over 350 people have been admitted to different hospitals across the district, officials said, adding that all private and government hospitals have been put on alert in the nearby districts, including state capital Bhubaneswar.
A PTI reporter at the spot said several people were trapped under the derailed coaches, and locals were assisting emergency services personnel to rescue them, but darkness was hindering the operation.
Jena shared on Twitter that Special Relief Commissioner Hemant Sharma and Fire Services Director General Balwant Singh have been deputed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to supervise and support rescue operations. He also said that Balasore and Cuttack districts have been put on readyness.
Jena also said that National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) have been mobilised.
"3 NDRF, 4 ODRAF, several fire services units, >50 ambulances, aska lights also mobilised. Doctors alerted. All efforts in full swing. Praying God to help the commuters. Other arrangements are also being made. Treatment for the injured in all government/private hospitals planned," said Jena on Twitter.
Emergency contact numbers have also been released.
The Centre has announced compensation for the casualties in the Odisha train accident.
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the compensation of Rs 10 lakh in case of death, Rs 2 lakh in case of grievous injury, and Rs 50,000 for minor injuries.
In a separate tweeted, Vaishnaw said that he is leaving for the accident site and "will take all hands required for the rescue ops".
Leaders such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Odisha Chief Minister Patnaik, and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee also reacted to the incident.
Modi said he is "distressed" from the news of the accident and has spoken to the Railway Minister regarding it.
"Spoke to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw 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," said Modi in a tweet.
Patnaik tweeted in Odia that he is concerned by the train accident and has directed the officials to supervise the rescue efforts.
"The Revenue Minister and SRC have ordered to visit the spot and supervise all the work. We wish everyone the best of care and the best of luck to the injured," said Patnaik in a tweet, according to translation provided by Twitter.
Patnaik also visited the SRC office to review the situation. He will visit the site tomorrow.
Mamata expressed shock at the accident and announced emergency contact numbers. She also said that officials are being sent to the site.
"We are coordinating with Odisha government and South Eastern Railways for our people's sake. Our emergency control room has been activated at once with numbers 033- 22143526/ 22535185. All out efforts for rescue, retrieval, aid and assistance initiated...We are sending a 5- 6 members team to the spot to cooperate with the Odisha government and railway authorities and to assist rescue operations," said Mamata on Twitter.
(With PTI inputs)