Bhubaneswar: A major train accident has happened in Odisha. Here Coromandel Express and goods train collided with each other near Bahnaga station in Balasore. The collision was so severe that five coaches of the Coromandel Express (12841) carrying passengers derailed. According to sources, so far 132 people have been injured in the accident and 30 have been reported killed. However, no data has been released by the Railways yet. The injured were admitted to Soro CHC, Gopalpur CHC, and Khantapada PHC. Teams have reached the spot for a search and rescue operation. An additional rescue team of 26 members of the Odisha Fire and Emergency Service has been sent.
Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announces ex-gratia compensation of Rs 10 lakhs in case of death of accident victims and Rs 2 lakhs for those with grievous injuries and Rs 50,000 for those with minor injuries.
The Chief Secretary of Odisha told that about 50 ambulances have been deployed to take people. A large number of buses have been deployed to shift the injured to the hospital. The Office of the Special Relief Commissioner informed that the Collector of Balasore has also been directed to reach the spot to make all necessary arrangements and inform the SRC if any additional help is required from the state level.
SRC has issued an emergency control room number: 0678 2262286
Emergency helpline numbers have been issued-
Howrah Helpline: 033-26382217
Kharagpur Helpline: 8972073925, 9332392339
Balasore Helpline: 8249591559, 7978418322
Shalimar Helpline: 9903370746
