Deadliest Train crash in India
One of the deadliest train accidents in Odisha India has resulted in the loss of nearly 300 lives. According to officials, at least 288 people have been killed, and over 850 others have sustained injuries in the collision involving three trains in the eastern state of Odisha. The death toll is expected to increase as there are concerns that more individuals are trapped inside the severely damaged train cars. Rescue teams, including the Indian army, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the police, and other organizations, are working tirelessly to locate survivors and recover bodies. However, the chances of finding survivors are slim, as stated by Sudhanshu Sarangi, Odisha’s Fire Services Chief.
The injured individuals are being transported to hospitals by more than 200 ambulances, according to Odisha’s Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena. Local hospitals, unaccustomed to dealing with such a large number of severely injured patients, have been overwhelmed by the influx of traumatized victims. Distressing footage from the accident site shows bodies lined up along the tracks, while rescuers desperately search through the overturned and jumbled train compartments made of twisted metal. In response to this tragedy, the state government has declared a day of mourning.
The sequence of events leading to the accident is not yet officially confirmed. However, according to reports from local news media and eyewitnesses, the Coromandel Shalimar Express, a passenger train, derailed and collided with a stationary goods train at approximately 6:50 PM local time. This collision caused several coaches to overturn. Roughly 20 minutes later, the Yeshvantpur-Howrah Superfast train, approaching the accident site, crashed into the derailed coaches on the adjacent track.
Passenger Vandana Kaleda, describing the harrowing experience, mentioned how the train suddenly tilted as she stepped out of the washroom. Chaos ensued as people fell on top of each other, leaving her shocked and bewildered.
The reasons why the second train was not halted in time near the accident area remain unclear. The Indian Railways has initiated an investigation into the incident to determine the cause. India’s Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, faced calls for resignation from opposition leaders. However, he acknowledged the tragedy as “tragic” and emphasized that the primary focus at present is on rescue and relief operations. A high-level inquiry committee has been established to investigate the accident, with a separate investigation by the Commissioner of Railway Safety.