India’s eastern state of Odisha witnessed a devastating train crash, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 261 lives and leaving over 1,000 people injured. The accident involved three trains and has initiated a massive recovery operation, with emergency workers tirelessly searching through the wreckage. This incident marks India’s worst train crash in over two decades, leaving the nation in shock and mourning.
A Catastrophic Collision
On that fateful day, one passenger train derailed onto the adjacent track and was struck by an incoming train. Additionally, a nearby stationary freight train was also hit. The collision between these trains caused severe damage and loss of life. Several carriages from the Coromandel Express, which was traveling between Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) and Chennai (formerly Madras), derailed in Balasore district after striking a stationary goods train. Some of these coaches ended up on the opposite track. Subsequently, the Howrah Superfast Express, traveling in the opposite direction from Yesvantpur to Howrah, collided with the overturned carriages.
“The force with which the trains collided has resulted in several coaches being crushed and mangled,” shared Atul Karwal, chief of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) with the ANI news agency.
The Immediate Response
A swift response was mobilized to rescue survivors and provide medical aid. More than 200 ambulances, along with hundreds of doctors, nurses, and rescue personnel, were dispatched to the scene. Sudhanshu Sarangi, director general of Odisha Fire Services, initially reported that 288 individuals had lost their lives. However, thanks to the concerted efforts of emergency workers, all trapped and injured passengers were eventually rescued. The severity of injuries among those taken to hospitals remains unclear.
The South Eastern Railway company of India commenced restoration work at the crash site on Saturday, aiming to rebuild and reopen the affected railway lines. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accompanied by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, personally visited the accident site to assess the situation.
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PM Shri @narendramodi visits the hospital in Balasore to meet those injured in Odisha train accident. https://t.co/wIwkhqLQMH
— BJP (@BJP4India) June 3, 2023
Uncovering the Cause
An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of this tragic train crash. While the exact reason remains uncertain, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has attributed the incident to “technical reasons.” Survivors and eyewitnesses have shared harrowing accounts of the chaotic scenes and the courageous efforts of individuals from nearby villages who rushed to save trapped passengers. Mukesh Pandit, who was trapped for half an hour before being rescued, recounted hearing a “thunderous sound” just before his carriage overturned. Sadly, not everyone was as fortunate, with numerous lives lost and many still reported as missing.
India’s Railways and the Need for Improvement
India boasts one of the world’s largest train networks, ferrying millions of passengers each day. However, this tragic accident has highlighted the pressing need for infrastructure improvements. The railway system often faces overcrowding, particularly during school holidays when the number of travelers surges. Both the passenger trains involved in this crash were fully occupied, and many others were on the waiting list, as revealed by passenger lists on the Indian rail ministry website.
It is worth noting that India experienced its worst train disaster in 1981. During a cyclone in Bihar state, an overcrowded passenger train was blown off the tracks and into a river, claiming the lives of at least 800 people. Such incidents underscore the necessity of continuous efforts to enhance safety measures and upgrade railway infrastructure.
#OdishaTrainAccident
Source: BBC
