Odisha. A major train accident took place in Balasore on Friday evening at around 6:51 pm. Coromandel Express (12841) and goods train collided near Bahnaga station. The collision was so strong that the Coromandel Express derailed. Many coaches of the train climbed onto the goods train. According to the information, seven coaches overturned, four coaches went outside the rail boundary. A total of 15 bogies have been derailed. In this painful accident, 233 people died and 900 people were injured. Earlier, there was information about the death of 50 and then 70 passengers, late night this number had increased to 120. Also, more than 350 injured were reported. Although the rescue operation is going on and the number of dead is increasing.
The President has also expressed grief over the train accident. On behalf of the President of India, the tweet said that ‘Deeply saddened to know about the loss of lives in an unfortunate train accident in Balasore, Odisha. My heart aches for the bereaved families. I wish success in the rescue operations and speedy recovery of the injured’. Helpline numbers issued – Emergency Control Room: 6782262286 – Howrah: 033-26382217 – Kharagpur: 8972073925, 9332392339 – Balasore: 8249591559, 7978418322 – Kolkata Shalimar: 9903370746 – RailMadad: 044- 2535 4771 – Chennai Central Railway: 044- 25330952, 044-25330953 & 044-25354771