New Delhi: At least 50 people were killed and 300 hospitalised in India after passenger train derailed and collided with goods train in Odisha’s Balasore district, according to media reports.

Rescue operations were underway at site and “All possible assistance” is being given to those affected, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in tweet. Collision is “Grave accident”, HK Dwivedi West Bengal’s Chief Secretary told reporters. South Eastern Railway officials, who did not want to be named said they fear heavy casualties, without disclosing number of deaths. Coromandel Express which runs from Kolkata to Chennai derailed and fell on opposite track with many people still trapped, reports said.

“I can’t comment on details right now and casualty figures. I was in Delhi and rushing to accident site,” Archana Joshi General Manager for South Eastern Railways told Reuters. Joshi said large number of injured were being shifted o hospitals.

“Railway rescue teams from Kharagpur and other nearby stations have already reached site. Relief and rescue was underway.”

Published in The Daily National Courier, June, 03 2023

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