More than 280 people have been killed and hundreds injured in a deadly train accident in the Balasore district in the eastern state of Odisha, India, on Friday (June 2) night. This is one of the worst train crashes in the country’s recent history.
The death toll is expected to rise as teams carry out a colossal rescue operation, wading through piles of debris and wreckage to pull out bodies and free people after the collision. Army soldiers and air force helicopters also joined the local authorities in the relief effort.
Around 1,200 rescuers worked with 115 ambulances, 50 buses and 45 mobile health units through the night at the accident site.
Officials said the tragic accident involved three trains – two passenger trains and one goods train.
Images from the scene showed rescuers attempting to find survivors. Video footage also showed upturned coaches littered across train tracks as passengers called for help.
Drone footage shows the aftermath of deadly train crash in Odisha, India pic.twitter.com/uep6uqEpLe
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At least 280 bodies were recovered overnight and Saturday morning, Sudhanshu Sarangi, director of Odisha’s fire and emergency department, told the media. He said more than 800 injured passengers were taken to various hospitals with many in critical condition.
Hundreds of young people lined up outside a government hospital in Odisha’s Soro to donate blood. About 500 units of blood were collected overnight. “I am personally indebted and grateful to all the volunteers who’ve donated blood for a noble cause,” state chief secretary Pradeep Jena said.
About 200 were severely injured. “The challenge now is identifying the bodies. Wherever the relatives are able to provide evidence, the bodies are handed over after autopsies. If not identified, maybe we have to go for a DNA test and other protocols,” Jena said.
In Pics | In one of the deadliest train accidents in India, nearly 300 passenger died and nearly 1000 injured when three trains collided in Odisha's Balasore on Friday. https://t.co/Mgv0IMF0Cm #BalasoreTrainAccident #OdishaTrainAccident #OdishaTrainTragedy pic.twitter.com/5BNBT13UnR
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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted his condolences on social media. “Distressed by the train accident in Odisha. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon. Rescue ops are underway at the site of the mishap and all possible assistance is being given to those affected,” he wrote.