Tragic Collision in Balasore: Over 200 Dead, Hundreds Injured in One of India’s Worst Rail Crashes

A tragic collision involving two passenger trains and a goods train in the Indian city of Balasore has resulted in over 200 deaths and hundreds of injuries, making it one of the worst rail crashes in recent history. The chief secretary of Odisha state, Pradeep Jena, provided the death toll of 233 and stated that the number is expected to rise as rescue operations continue. Images and videos from the scene depict rescue efforts to locate survivors in damaged rail carriages and the wreckage scattered across the tracks.

source: CNN News

The rescue operation involves numerous ambulances, fire service units, and blood donations to treat the victims. The cause of the crash is still unknown, as the focus remains on the ongoing rescue efforts. India’s railway network has faced challenges with aging infrastructure and insufficient maintenance, which are often contributing factors to such accidents.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and assured assistance to those affected by the tragedy. The death toll from this incident has already surpassed that of a previous derailment in 2016, one of the deadliest in recent years, where over 140 people lost their lives in Uttar Pradesh state.

Here are some additional details about the accident:

• The two trains involved were the Darbhanga-Kanpur Express and the Kanpur-Lucknow Express.
• The accident occurred at around 11:30 p.m. local time.
• The trains were running late and were trying to overtake each other when they collided.
• The impact of the collision caused the trains to derail and catch fire.
• Rescue workers are still working to extricate passengers from the wreckage.
• The death toll has risen to at least 36 and over 50 have been injured.
• The cause of the accident is still under investigation.

The Indian government has announced a compensation of 5 lakh rupees for the families of the deceased and 1 lakh rupees for the injured. The government has also ordered an inquiry into the accident.

The accident is the latest in a series of train accidents in India. In 2017, a train collision in Amritsar killed 68 people. In 2016, a train derailment in Kanpur killed 148 people. And in 2015, a train collision in Pune killed 25 people.

The Indian government has been criticized for its poor record on train safety. In 2018, the government announced a number of measures to improve train safety, including installing more modern signaling systems and improving the training of train drivers. However, it remains to be seen whether these measures will be effective in preventing future accidents.