India train crash death toll rises to 288, 900+ injured
The train crash marks the country's deadliest in more than a decade.
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A drone view shows derailed coaches after two passenger trains collided in the Balasore district in the eastern state of Odisha, India, June 3, 2023. (Reuters)
The death toll from a horrific three-train rail crash in India rose to 288 early Saturday, an official said as quoted by AFP.
Sudhanshu Sarangi, director general of the Odisha state fire department, affirmed the new toll. Meanwhile, more than 900 were also injured in the accident, as per media reports.
A passenger train collided with a freight train in the eastern Indian state of Odisha on Friday. The passenger train was on its way from Calcutta to Chennai. Four derailed passenger train carriages can be seen in footage from the train collision scene.
#BreakingNews from Orissa 👇👇
— SNEHA TIWARI (@iam_tiwari) June 3, 2023
Om Shanti
235 dead and many injured after Indian Railways' #CoromandelExpress collided with goods train last night in Bahanaga Near #Baleswar.
May God give peace to the soul of the deceased.
भारतीय रेलवे बालासोर ट्रेन #TrainAccident रेल मंत्री pic.twitter.com/9VcXNNSGPU
At the time, Odisha States Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena was quoted by the Press Trust of India as saying, "An unfortunate accident took place between Coromandel Express, a goods train, and another passenger train near Bahanaga Railway Station in Balasore district. Three National Disaster Response Forces teams have been dispersed and the rescue operation has started."
Narendra Modi, the Indian Prime Minister, extended his condolences to the families of those killed.
Modi Tweeted that he was distressed by the accident and wished a speedy recovery for those involved. "Rescue ops are underway at the site of the mishap and all possible assistance is being given to those affected," he added.
