In a tragic accident, at least 50 people died and over 350 people have been injured after Coromandel Express derailed and hit another express train in Odisha’s Balasore district on Friday evening, PTI reported.
The accident took place around 7.20 pm near Bahanaga Bazar station when the train was on the way to Chennai Central Station from Shalimar Station near Kolkata.
Many are feared trapped and the casualties may rise, officials said.
According to officials, the injured persons have been rushed to the nearest hospitals in Balasore and SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.
According to officials, at least 300 passengers have been evacuated, out of which around 179 people have been hospitalised. Another 600 to 700 people are still trapped, the officials said.
The special relief commissioner has directed the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force team at Balasore to rush to the spot for search and rescue operations. The Balasore Collector has also been directed to reach the spot and make all necessary arrangements, and intimate the SRC if any additional help is required from the state.
(More to follow…)
