In a horrific train accident in Odisha’s Balasore district which has shock the nation, at least 238 people lost their lives and over 900 were injured when four coaches of the Coromandel Express derailed, colliding head-on with a goods train on the opposite line. This tragic incident marks one of the deadliest train crashes in India since independence.
On Friday evening, tragedy struck as the Coromandel Express, en route from Kolkata to Chennai, collided with the derailed coaches of a train traveling from Bengaluru to Kolkata. The collision was so severe that it resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives and left scores of passengers injured.
According to Odisha Chief Secretary PK Jena, a third freight train was also involved in the accident, exacerbating the devastation. As rescue operations continue, there are reports that people from one particular bogie are still awaiting rescue, trapped in the severely mangled wreckage.
The impact of the collision caused extensive damage to the railway tracks, with mangled coaches strewn all over the area. Some coaches were even found mounted on top of others, while several bogies were overturned due to the sheer force of the crash. The scene is one of utter chaos and destruction.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep distress over the tragedy and announced additional compensation for the victims and their families. He declared a sum of ₹2 lakh for the families of those who lost their lives and ₹50,000 for the injured, to be provided from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).
In response to the devastating incident, the Odisha government has set up a helpline (06782-262286) to assist those affected by the accident. The railway authorities have also established helplines for further support: 033-26382217 (Howrah), 8972073925 (Kharagpur), 8249591559 (Balasore), and 044-25330952 (Chennai).
