Tragic Train Crash in India’s Odisha State Leaves 261 Dead and 1,000 Injured
A devastating train crash in Odisha state, eastern India, has resulted in the loss of at least 261 lives and left around 1,000 individuals injured. The incident occurred when one passenger train derailed onto an adjacent track, colliding with an incoming train and a stationary freight train on Friday.
Rescue and recovery operations are currently underway as emergency workers meticulously search through the wreckage. This accident marks the deadliest train crash in India so far this century, and investigations are ongoing to determine its cause.
The Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express suffered several derailments around 19:00 local time, striking a stationary goods train and causing some of its coaches to land on the opposite track. Subsequently, the Howrah Superfast Express traveling from Yesvantpur to Howrah collided with the overturned carriages.
Atul Karwal, the chief of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), described the collision as immensely powerful, leading to severe damage and deformation of the coaches. This incident ranks as the third deadliest in the history of Indian railways.
A massive response effort was launched, involving over 200 ambulances, numerous doctors, nurses, and rescue personnel. The trapped and injured passengers have been successfully rescued, although the extent of their injuries remains uncertain.
Efforts are now focused on restoring the crash site, as stated by the South Eastern Railway company. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has already arrived at the scene, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit the injured later today.
Survivors and witnesses have recounted chaotic scenes and the heroic acts of nearby villagers who selflessly aided trapped passengers. Mukesh Pandit, one survivor, described hearing a deafening sound shortly before his carriage overturned. He mentioned the injuries sustained by fellow passengers, emphasizing the loss of life within his own coach.
The aftermath of this tragic event serves as a somber reminder of the need for thorough investigations, improved safety measures, and enhanced emergency response protocols to prevent such devastating accidents in the future.
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