A heartwrenching incident took place as the Coromandel Express train derailed on Friday after colliding with goods train in the Balasore district of Odisha. According to media reports, Thirty people were killed and 300 were injured when a passenger train hit the derailed coaches of another train in Odisha’s Balasore this evening. However, the casualties may rise, officials said.

Around 200 passengers are trapped in the overturned coaches of the 12841 Coromandel Express.

Injured rushed to nearby hospitals

The administration has initiated a rescue operation after the derailment of the Coromandel Express. The injured were rushed to the nearby hospitals at Balasore for treatment.

Taking notes from the accident, CPRO Southern Railway informed that several coaches are reported to have derailed. The accident happened near Bahanaga Bazar station at around 7.20 PM.

Official statements

Speaking to the media, the Special Relief Commissioner Officer said that the Collector of Balasore is directed to reach the spot of the accident where the Coromandel Express train derailed and collided with a goods train and make all necessary arrangements.

According to Odisha chief secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena,  approx. 50 ambulances have been mobilised, but the number of the injured is high. A number of buses have also been mobilised to shift the injured passengers to the hospital.

The videos of the accident are shared on social media with search and rescue operations underway.

Helpline Numbers

The officials have also that the administration has mobilized 3 NDRF units, 4 ODRAF units and 60 ambulances. The government has provided several helpline numbers — 033-26382217, 8972073925, 67822 62286, and 9332392339.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has Revenue Minister Pramila Swain and Special Relief Commissioner Satyabrata Sahu to reach the spot of the accident and coordinate with the search and rescue teams.

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Bengal CM takes to Twitter

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that they are coordinating with the Odisha government and are also sending a 5- 6 members team to the spot to assist with the rescue operations of the Odisha government.

Taking to Twitter, CM Banerjee said, “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 Eastern Railways for our people’s sake. Our emergency control room has been activated at once with numbers 033- 22143526/ 22535185. All out efforts for rescue, retrieval, aid and assistance initiated.”