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In Short: Train Collision in India: Death Toll at 239, PM Modi to Visit Site.
A train collision in Odisha, India has claimed 239 lives and left over 900 people injured. Rescue efforts are underway as authorities investigate the cause of the accident. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the site to offer condolences.
BHUBANESWAR, INDIA: In what is being termed as the country's deadliest rail accident in more than two decades, the collision of two passenger trains in Odisha state has claimed the lives of nearly 239 people, with over 900 injured, according to a state government official. Rescue operations are still ongoing, with a significant number of serious injuries reported.
Sudhanshu Sarangi, the director general of Odisha Fire Services, stated that a large-scale rescue effort is underway at the accident site, with a substantial deployment of ambulances and additional medical personnel. Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena also announced on social media that over 200 ambulances and 100 extra doctors have been mobilized to assist in the rescue and treatment efforts.
Disturbing footage showed police officials carefully removing bodies covered in white cloths from the railway tracks. Survivors of the accident recounted their harrowing experiences, with one unidentified survivor stating that he was awoken by the noise of the train derailing and witnessed multiple fatalities. Many dismembered bodies were also observed.
The collision occurred at around 7:00 PM local time when the Howrah Superfast Express, traveling from Bangalore to Howrah, West Bengal, collided with the Coromandel Express, running from Kolkata to Chennai. Authorities have provided conflicting accounts regarding which train derailed first, leading to the collision. The Ministry of Railways has initiated an investigation into the incident.
While some reports and Chief Secretary Jena have mentioned the involvement of a freight train in the crash, railway authorities have not yet confirmed this possibility.
A massive search-and-rescue operation, involving hundreds of personnel from the fire department, police force, and National Disaster Response Force, is currently underway. Sniffer dogs are being used to locate any survivors amidst the wreckage. Indian Railways, responsible for transporting over 13 million people daily, has faced scrutiny over its safety record due to aging infrastructure.
In honor of the victims, the state has declared Saturday as a day of state mourning. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the accident site to assess the situation and offer his condolences to the affected families.