Odisha Train Accident: PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi Grieve Tragedy As Rescue Ops Continue Overnight
PM Modi announced that efforts to rescue individuals at the accident location are currently taking place and all feasible support is being extended to those impacted by the collision.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday stated that he has assessed the condition in Balasore, Odisha where a freight train and an express train collided, resulting in a death toll of at least 120 passengers. PM Modi announced that efforts to rescue individuals at the accident location are currently taking place and all feasible support is being extended to those impacted by the collision.
At least 50 passengers were killed, and more than 350 are feared critically injured after two express trains derailed near Balasore's Bahanaga station in Odisha this evening.
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.
Taking to Twitter, PM Modi stated: “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 possible assistance is being given to those 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 expressed her sorrow and concern regarding the fatalities resulting from the train mishap.
“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," she tweeted.
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
Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, stated that she is closely overseeing the current situation alongside various officials, including the chief secretary.
"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," she tweeted.
Shocked to know that the Shalimar- Coromondel express, carrying passengers from West Bengal, collided with a goods train near Balasore today evening and some of our outbound people have been seriously affected/ injured. We are coordinating with Odisha government and South…
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) June 2, 2023
Expressing condolences over the Odisha train accident, Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted: "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."
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
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityantah expressed his condolences and said that the accident is "herat breaking."
"Praying to Lord Shri Ram for the speedy recovery of the injured," he tweeted.
उड़ीसा के बालासोर में हुई ट्रेन दुर्घटना अत्यंत दुःखद एवं हृदय विदारक है।
— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) June 2, 2023
मेरी संवेदनाएं शोक संतप्त परिजनों के साथ हैं।
प्रभु श्री राम से घायलों के शीघ्र स्वास्थ्य लाभ हेतु प्रार्थना है।
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed anguish over the loss of lives in the train accident.
He tweeted: "Anguished by the tragic news of the accident involving the Coromandel Express, in Balasore, Odisha. My heart goes out to the bereaved families. Wishing for the speedy recovery of those injured. I urge Congress workers & leaders to extend all support needed for rescue efforts."
Anguished by the tragic news of the accident involving the Coromandel Express, in Balasore, Odisha.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 2, 2023
My heart goes out to the bereaved families. Wishing for the speedy recovery of those injured.
I urge Congress workers & leaders to extend all support needed for rescue efforts.
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.
Related Video
Breaking News: “Land-for-Job” Scam: Lalu Yadav, Family Among 41 Accused as Court Frames Charges
Top Headlines
