Over 50 feared killed, more than 200 injured as Coromandel Express collides with goods train in Odisha’s Balasore

By Sudam Patra

BALASORE, JUNE 2: More than 50 people were on Friday morning feared killed and several others critically injured after the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel express train collided with a goods train in Odisha’s Balasore.

However, there was no official confirmation with regard to the number of deaths.

Bodies of a large number of accident victims were seen lying covered  with white clothes in Soro Hospital.

The accident reportedly occurred at 6.42 pm near Bahanaga station in Balasore.

Three teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and four teams of Odisha Disaster Action Force (ODRAF) were sent to the spot to rescue the injured passengers.

Nearly 200 passengers were rushed to the local Bahanaga, Soro and Balasore District Headquarters hospitals.

Doctors from Bhubaneswar were also rushed to the accident sites.

As many as 50 ambulances were deployed in evacuation of the injured passengers.

According to state chief secretary P K Jena special teams of fire services and senior officials of the state government were sent to the accident site.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik himself went to the Special Relief Commissioner’s office to oversee the rescue operation.

Rescue operations launched and the injured are being shifted to Balasore hospital.

“Teams have left for the spot for search and rescue operations. Collector of Balasore has also been directed to reach the spot to make all necessary arrangements and intimate the SRC if any additional help is required from the state level.”

 The SRC’s office released an emergency control room number, 6782262286 for information and help relating to the mishap.

To supervise the rescue operation, Odisha Fire Services DG, Sudhanshu Sarangi was given the charge. Apart from that, Odisha revenue minister Pramila mallik and the SRC have been directed to reach the accident spot to ensure a smooth conduct of rescue operation.