Coromandel Express collides with freight train in Odisha's Balasore, derails; many feared dead
Balasore/IBNS: A passenger express train met with a massive accident near Bahanaga railway station in Odisha's Balasore district as at least eight bogies of 12841 Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express derailed after colliding with a freights train on Friday evening.
Rescue teams have reached the spot. As per local media channel reports quoting eyewitnesses, at least two people have died and the toll is likely to rise.
Many are feared trapped. Some injured people were taken to hospitals. As many as 47 people have been admitted to Balasore Hospital alone, said media reports.
Visuals showed many coaches of the train dismantled.
#WATCH | Coromandel Express derails near Bahanaga station in Balasore, Odisha. pic.twitter.com/9Lk2qauW9v
— ANI (@ANI) June 2, 2023
The train was en route from Kolkata to Chennai.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and took stock of the szituation.
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 @AshwiniVaishnaw and took stock of the situation. Rescue ops are underway at the site of the mishap and all…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 2, 2023
The train started its journey at 3.30 pm from West Bengal's Shalimar station and arrived at Balasore station at 6.30 pm. It was scheduled to reach Chennai at 4.50 pm on Saturday.
A passenger express train met with a massive accident near Bahanaga railway station in Odisha's Balasore district. At least eight bogies of 12841 Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express derailed after colliding with a freights train on Friday evening. Many feared dead #trainaccident… pic.twitter.com/SdL0squEuF
— India Blooms (@indiablooms) June 2, 2023
Expressing shock over the accident, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee informed that her government has sent a 5-6 member team to the spot to cooperate with the Odisha government and railway authorities and to assist rescue operations.
Shocked to know that the Shalimar- Coromondel express, carrying passengers from West Bengal, collided with a goods train near Balasore today evening and some of our outbound people have been seriously affected/ injured. We are coordinating with Odisha government and South…
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) June 2, 2023
The Bengal government also sent 25 ambulances, 12 doctors and two dead body carriers to Balasore.
The Odisha Government has provided several helpline numbers -- 033-26382217, 8972073925, 67822 62286, 9332392339.
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