Indian train collision leaves more than 200 dead, nearly 1,000 injured
A devastating crash in India involving three trains killed more than 200 people Friday and left at least 900 injured, according to reports from the northeast city of Balasore.
CNN said the collision is believed to have involved two passenger trains and a third carrying freight.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted he was “distressed” by news from the state of Odisha, where the tragedy occurred: “In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon.”
The prime minister said rescue efforts were underway. More than 100 ambulances converged on the seen to find passengers climbing from damaged train cars.
State chief Pradeep Jena kept Indians apprised of ongoing rescue efforts, and said tending to the injured was his first priority.
“500 units of blood collected overnight here at Balasore. 900 units in stock at present,” Jena tweeted. “This will help in treating the accident victims. I’m personally indebted and grateful to all the volunteers who’ve donated blood for a noble cause.”
Details about the collision are still coming to light.
Friday’s chaos reportedly began around 7 p.m. local time when 10 to 12 coaches on an express train derailed. Debris fell onto a nearby track, which was soon stuck by a second train traveling in the opposite direction. At least three coaches on the second train derailed as a result. Specifics about the third train’s involvement are unclear.
The crash is shaping up to be one of the deadliest in a country where railway tragedies are not uncommon. India’s poorly maintained and dated infrastructure of its extensive railway network often leads to problems. More than 16,000 people reportedly lost their lives in Indian train-related incidents in 2021 alone.
CNN says the families of those killed Friday are expected to be compensated just over $12,000, according to the country’s Minister for Railways, Communications, Electronics and Information Technology.
With News Wire Services
