Two passenger trains and one cargo ship collided in India, killing at least 50 people and injuring more than 500.
The Bengaluru – Howrah passenger train on the evening of June 2 derailed in Balasore, Odisha state, eastern India. Some train carriages overturned and overturned the adjacent railway.
The Shalimar - Chennai passenger express train then moved on this railway section. Due to failure to brake in time, the Shalimar - Chennai train directly hit the cars that had just overturned of the previous train, causing some of its carriages to overturn and collide with the cargo train parked nearby.
One passenger said he was sleeping when the accident happened. When he woke up, he saw about 10 people lying on top of him. He later managed to get out of the carriage, wounding his arm and neck.
The scene of a train accident in Odisha state, eastern India, on the evening of June 2. Video: Al Jazeera
More than 60 ambulances were dispatched to the scene. The Odisha State Emergency Response Agency (ODRAF) mobilized four rescue units, while the National Emergency Response Agency (NDRF) dispatched three units to rescue the victims.
“About 50 people died and more than 500 were injured. Our first priority is to rescue passengers and provide medical assistance to the injured," said Pradeep Jena, a senior Odisha state official. The neighboring West Bengal state government also sent a team of experts to the rescue.
A train carriage overturned in Odisha state, India, on the evening of June 2. Image: India Today
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw about the tragedy in Odisha. He sent condolences to the families of the victims and injured, and asked Minister Vaishnaw to quickly understand the situation on the ground.
"The rescue operation has been activated and all support measures are being deployed," Modi said.
The Indian railway network has deteriorated in some areas due to its long construction and lack of maintenance. In 2021, India recorded more than 16.000 deaths in nearly 18.000 railway accidents, most of which were falls from trains or trains hit people on the tracks. One of the most serious tragedies of the past 10 years was a train derailment in Uttar Pradesh in November 11, which killed more than 2016 people.
A train carriage was torn apart after three trains collided on the evening of June 2 in Odisha state. Image: India Today
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