Tragic Train Crash in Balasore: Over 230
Killed, 900 Injured in Three-Train Collision
On June 2, 2023, a devastating train accident occurred in
the city of Balasore, India, involving two passenger trains and a goods train.
This collision has resulted in the loss of more than 200 lives and left
hundreds injured, making it one of the deadliest rail crashes in recent memory.
State Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena took to Twitter to report
the grim statistics, stating that at least 233 individuals have tragically lost
their lives, and around 900 others have been injured in this catastrophe in
eastern Odisha state.
Rescue teams are engaged in an extensive and challenging
operation to find survivors amidst the wreckage, and Chief Secretary Jena
acknowledged that the death toll is expected to rise. Images from the scene
reveal the valiant efforts of rescuers as they comb through damaged rail
carriages. Videos depict overturned coaches strewn across the tracks, with
courageous individuals climbing through the wreckage to aid those in need.
To support the rescue efforts, authorities have deployed
over 115 ambulances and several fire service units. In an effort to ensure the
availability of blood for the injured, approximately 500 units were collected
overnight, with 900 units currently in stock, as shared by Jena on Twitter. The
blood donations have been greatly appreciated, with Jena expressing personal
gratitude to the volunteers for their noble contributions.
At this stage, the cause of this catastrophic crash remains
unknown. Chief Secretary Jena emphasized that the immediate focus is on the
ongoing rescue operations, prioritizing the deployment of additional doctors,
ambulances, and buses to assist the affected individuals. Investigating the
cause of the incident will come at a later stage.
The collision occurred when one passenger train crashed into
the coaches of an already derailed passenger train, which had been thrown onto
the opposite track. Subsequently, both trains derailed. The unfortunate
accident took place near Bahanaga railway station in the Balasore district,
involving the Coromandel Express, a goods train, and another passenger train.
The Coromandel Express operates between Shalimar and Chennai, traversing the
east coast of India from Kolkata to Chennai.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on
Twitter, expressing his distress over the train accident in Odisha. He conveyed
his thoughts and prayers to the bereaved families, wished a speedy recovery to
the injured, and assured that rescue operations were underway with all possible
assistance being provided.
This tragedy sheds light on the challenges posed by aging
infrastructure and inadequate maintenance within India's extensive rail
network, factors often responsible for such accidents. The death toll from this
crash has already surpassed the infamous 2016 derailment in northern Uttar
Pradesh state, one of the deadliest rail accidents in recent years, claiming
over 140 lives.
In 2021 alone, nearly 18,000 railway accidents led to the
loss of 16,431 lives across the country. A significant majority of these cases,
approximately 67.7%, were reported as falls from trains or collisions with
individuals on tracks, according to a 2021 report by the National Crime
Records.
Rescue teams comprising more than 50 ambulances and several
fire service units have been dispatched to the crash site, and local
authorities continue their dedicated efforts. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen
Patnaik will visit the accident site on Saturday morning to assess the
situation.
India's Minister for Railways, Communications, Electronics,
and Information Technology has announced financial compensation of $12,136 for
the families of those who lost their lives in the tragic incident. Lesser
amounts will be available to those injured in the crash, as a measure of
support and assistance during this difficult time.
We express our deepest condolences to the families of the
victims and
#Indiatraincrash
