At least 233 people were killed and 900 were injured when a passenger train hit the derailed coaches of another train in Odisha’s Balasore Friday evening. A third freight train was also involved in the accident.
While a National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team is carrying out rescue operations at the crash site, seven other teams are being rushed from Mundali in Cuttack district to the spot. Collectors, SP and officers of the district administrations of Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur and Kendujhar have also been asked to supervise the operation.
The massive train tragedy, one of the deadliest in India in recent times, involved the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, and a goods train.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announces one-day state mourning.
According to a press release issued by the South Eastern Railways, more than 20 train services on Saturday were cancelled due to the incident.
The Odisha government has issued a helpline number – 06782-262286. Check the full list of helpline numbers issued.
Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw took to Twitter to announce an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the families of the deceased, Rs 2 lakh for those with serious injuries, and Rs 50,000 for those with minor injuries.
Helpline numbers for train accident in Odisha
Bhadrak: 8455889900
Jajpur Keonihar Road: 8455889906
Cuttack: 8455889917
Bhubaneswar: 8455889922
Khurda Road: 6370108046
Brahmapur: 89173887241
Balugaon: 9937732169
Palasa: 8978881006
Howrah Helpline Number: 033-26382217
Kharagpur Helpline Number: 8972073925 & 9332392339
Balasore Helpline Number: 8249591559 & 7978418322
Shalimar Helpline Number: 9903370746
