Major emergency with deaths and more than 100 hurt in train derailment in India

At least 70 people have been killed and at least 400 are feared injured after a train derailed in India after colliding with a goods train in Odisha’s Balasore. The accident reportedly occurred near Bahanaga station in Balasore on Friday night.

Following the incident, rescue operations were launched and the injured were being moved to Balasore hospital.

The Special Relief Commissioner’s office in Odisha said in a statement: “Teams have left for the spot for search and rescue operation.

“Collector Balasore has also been directed to reach the spot to make all necessary arrangements and intimate the SRC if any additional help is required from the state level.”

According to reports, several teams from the NDRF are on their way to the scene to carry out further search and rescue operations.

Odisha Fire Services DG and Sudhanshu Sarangi have reportedly been put in charge of supervising the operation.

The county’s Revenue Minister Pramila Mallik and the SRC had been told to head to the site of the accident to ensure the smooth running of the operation.

Pradeep Jena, the top official in Odisha state, said nearly 500 police officers and rescue workers are working alongside 75 ambulances and buses which have responded to the accident.

Railroad ministry spokesperson, Amitabh Sharma, said 10 to 12 train coaches derailed and debris from some of the coaches fell onto a nearby track which was hit by another passenger train coming in the opposite direction.

The Press Trust of India said the derailed Coromandel Express was travelling from Howrah in West Bengal State to Chennai, the capital of southern Tamil Nadu state.

President Droupadi Murmu tweeted his condolences to those affected by the accident. He said: “Deeply anguished to know about the loss of lives in an unfortunate rail accident in Balasore, Odisha.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: “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 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.”