Death toll has risen to 207 in the deadly train accident in India's eastern state of Odisha. More than 900 people were injured in this accident. The death toll may rise further.
According to the report of the Indian media The Hindu, on Friday (June 2) Karamandal Express was hit by an accident near Bahanaga Bazar station in Baleshwar, Odisha. Karamandal Express was going from Shalimar in West Bengal to Chennai. On the way, the passenger train rammed a freight train from behind while crossing the Bahanaga Bazar area of Odisha. All the coaches of Karmandal Express derailed except 3 coaches.
After this accident at 6:30 pm local time, almost an hour has passed since the rescue operation started. This increased the number of casualties.
Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena said that more than 200 ambulances have been dispatched to Baleshwar.
This is the worst train accident in India in this century. Officials said the death toll is expected to rise.
So far 200 seriously injured people have been taken to various hospitals in Odisha state for treatment. Out of the 15 derailed coaches, the casualties have not yet been rescued from three AC rooms.
Meanwhile, Odisha's special relief commissioner Satyabrata Sahu said that 47 people have been admitted to Baleshwar Medical College Hospital so far. Another 132 people have been admitted to nearby hospitals, Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena said.
Expressing grief over the news of the terrible train accident, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Twitter, "I am shocked by the train accident in Odisha. Condolences to the bereaved family at this difficult time, may the injured get well soon.”
Modi announced that the families of each of those killed in the accident will be given Rs 2 lakh. Apart from this, Rs 50,000 will be given to the injured.