Naveen Patnaik, the Chief Minister of Odisha, is scheduled to be in Balasore today to oversee the rescue operation occurring due to the collision of three trains as death toll rose to 233 in the horrific train accident. Earlier yesterday, he hastened towards the control room that was assessing the situation. More than 800 are feared critically injured after two express trains derailed near Balasore's Bahanaga station in Odisha last evening.
Death toll in the incident has risen to 233, Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena confirmed on Saturday.
"So far around 900 passengers have been injured and are being treated in various hospitals in Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, Jajpur, and Cuttack districts. So far, 233 dead bodies have been recovered. The search and rescue operation is going on. One bogie which is severely damaged is left; NDRF, ODRAF, and Fire Service are still working to cut the bogie and try to recover the living or the dead..," he said.
Odisha and Tamil Nadu will observe a one-day state mourning today to mourn the lives lost in this tragic accident.
According to a spokesperson of the Indian Railways, nearly 10 to 12 carriages belonging to the Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express overturned in the vicinity of Balasore and landed on the adjacent railway track. According to the spokesperson, a train travelling from Yeswanthpur to Howrah collided with the overturned coaches, causing three to four of its own coaches to derail.
Speaking with reporters, CM said: "I have just reviewed the situation about this truly tragic railway accident. I will be visiting the spot tomorrow morning."
According to the Kharagpur Divisional Railway Manager, the Shalimar-Howrah Coromandel Express derailed at Bahanaga station around 6:51 pm, while the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast train derailed at the same location around 6:55 pm.
As per the information received from Kharagpur Divisional Railway Manager, the Shalimar-Howrah Coromandel Express was derailed at Bahanaga station at around 6:51 pm, while the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast train derailed at the same spot at 6:55 pm. Rescue operations were launched, and the injured are being shifted to Balasore Medical College Hospital and other hospitals in nearby areas.
The Special Relief Commissioner Pradeep Jena said several medical teams have left for the spot for a search and rescue operation. In addition, several NDRF teams reached the spot to carry out rescue operations.
Nearly 200 ambulances have been reported at the site while buses are mobilised to shift the injured to the hospital. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has directed Odisha Revenue Minister Pramila Mallik and the Special Relief Commissioner to reach the accident spot to ensure smooth rescue operations. The West Bengal government has sent a six-member team to the spot.