In one of the most tragic railway disasters in India, at least 233 people were killed and more than 900 injured when three trains collided one after another in a horrific sequence in Odisha's Balasore district, setting off a massive rescue and evacuation process, officials said on Saturday.
The Coromandel express, which was headed towards Chennai from Kolkata, rammed into the derailed coaches of the other train, which was going from Bengaluru to Kolkata.
The two trains associted with the accident have been identified as 12841 Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express and 12864 Yashwantpur-Howrah Superfast Express.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the major train accident in Odisha in which around 900 people are injured and 233 have died.
The Prime Minister spoke to Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and is taking stock of the situation and said all possible assistance is being given to the affected.
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 Railway Minister @AshwiniVaishnaw and took stock of the situation. Rescue ops are underway at the site of the mishap and all…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 2, 2023
President Droupadi Murmu said she's "Deeply anguished to know about the loss of lives in an unfortunate rail accident in Balasore, Odisha."
Deeply anguished to know about the loss of lives in an unfortunate rail accident in Balasore, Odisha. My heart goes out to the bereaved families. I pray for the success of rescue operations and quick recovery of the injured.
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) June 2, 2023
Vice President Jagadeep Dhankhar also tweeted: "Deeply anguished by the loss of lives in a train accident in Balasore, Odisha"
Deeply anguished by the loss of lives in a train accident in Balasore, Odisha. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this difficult time. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.
— Vice President of India (@VPIndia) June 2, 2023
Home Minister Amit Shah informed that National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has reached the spot and will be joining the rescue operation.
The train accident at Balasore in Odisha 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.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) June 2, 2023
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said rescue teams from Bhubaneswar and Kolkata have been mobilised and the air force has been mobilised as well. The minister said he is rushing to the spot.
Rushing to the site in Odisha. My prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured and condolences to the bereaved families.
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) June 2, 2023
Rescue teams mobilised from Bhubaneswar and Kolkata. NDRF, State govt. teams and Airforce also mobilised.
Will take all hands required for the rescue ops.
