Three trains crashed in India’s Odisha state, and it killed at least 288 people. It is the country’s worst rail disaster in 20 years.
Pradeep Jena, the state’s top administrative official, said nearly 900 people were injured in the accident in Balasore district. The cause of the crash on Friday evening is being investigated.
Rescue operations ended after an extensive search and recovery effort. Hundreds of fire department personnel, police officers, sniffer dogs, and army personnel were involved. National Disaster Response Force teams also participated in the rescue work.
Officials reported that 1,200 rescuers, along with 115 ambulances, 50 buses, and 45 mobile health units, worked throughout the night at the accident site.
The accident occurred approximately 200km (125 miles) from the state capital Bhubaneswar on Friday night. Rescuers had to climb onto the wrecked trains to open doors and windows using cutting torches and free survivors, resulting in chaotic scenes.
Sudhanshu Sarangi, director of Odisha’s fire department, stated that it was unlikely for anyone stuck underneath to be alive.
“We rescued the survivors by 10pm on Friday. After that, it was about recovering the dead bodies,” he said. “This is a very tragic event. I have never witnessed anything like this in my career.”
Amitabh Sharma, a spokesperson for the railroad ministry, explained that ten to twelve coaches of one train derailed. And debris from those coaches fell onto a nearby track. As a result, another passenger train traveling in the opposite direction collided with the debris. Causing up to three coaches of the second train to derail.
There were reports of a third train carrying freight involved, as stated by the Press Trust of India (PTI). However, railroad authorities have not yet confirmed this. PTI mentioned that some of the derailed passenger coaches collided with cars from the freight train.
Dozens of bodies, covered by white sheets, lay on the ground near the train tracks as locals and rescuers raced to help survivors.
Scores of people also showed up at a local hospital to donate blood.
Saturday declared a day of mourning in Odisha as the state’s chief minister, Naveen Patnaik, visited the district to meet injured passengers.
The tragic collision of three trains in Odisha state has left India reeling from its worst train disaster in two decades. Claiming the lives of at least 288 people. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the pressing need for improved safety measures. A.nd infrastructure in the country’s railway system. As authorities investigate the cause of the crash, it is imperative for the government and railway authorities. To address the systemic issues that contribute to such devastating accidents. With the loss of so many lives, the incident highlights the urgent requirement for comprehensive reforms. To ensure the safety and well-being of India’s millions of train passengers.
