Odisha train collision toll rises to 238, around 650 injured

Two derailed coaches of the Yashwantpur-Howrah Express collided with the Coromandal Express that then hit a goods train.

Jun 3, 2023 - 11:30

Odisha train collision toll rises to 238, around 650 injured

At least 238 passengers were killed and around 650 were injured in an accident involving two express trains and one goods train in Odisha’s Balasore district on Friday evening, reported ANI, citing the South Eastern Railway.

The accident, which appears to rank among the worst railway disasters in India’s history, occurred around 7 pm when two coaches of the Yashwantpur-Howrah Express derailed near the Bahanaga railway station in Balasore, reported The Hindu.

The derailed coaches came in the path of the speeding Coromandal Express on the adjoining track and collided with it. Seventeen bogies of the Coromandal Express were derailed in the collision. Some of these bogies of the Coromandal Express then hit a goods train, a railway official said, reported The Hindu.

Images and videos on social media showed upturned train cars and people attempting to pull survivors from the wreck.

Coaches of Coromandel Express and Yeshwantpur-Howrah Express at the mishap site in Balasore district of Odisha I Photos by @ddmallick #TrainMishapOdisha #ExpressPictures @NewIndianXpress @santwana99 @Siba_TNIE pic.twitter.com/IGngVEbEz3— TNIE Odisha (@XpressOdisha) June 3, 2023

Sudhanshu Sarangi, the director general of Odisha Fire Services, told AFP that rescue operations were underway and there were a lot of serious injuries. “A very sad incident, and the prognosis is not good,” he added.

All hospitals in nearby districts have been put on alert, reported NDTV. Odisha Chief...