According to the news of The Hindu newspaper, 288 people lost their lives and more than 900 were injured in the accident that occurred at 19.20 local time yesterday, in the Balasore region of the province, near the Bahanaga Bazar Train Station, involving 3 trains, 2 of which are passengers and 1 of which are freight.
The railway official shared the information that the passenger trains involved in the accident belonged to Coromandel Express and Yashwatpur-Howrah Express.
Officials stated that 179 of the injured were hospitalized and efforts are underway to remove more than 600 passengers trapped on the train.
It was recorded that the Coromandel Express passenger train departing from Shalimar Railway Station is on its way to Chennai Central Railway Station.
Pradeep Jena, a senior official in the state of Orissa, said 75 ambulances and more than 500 police and rescue teams were dispatched to the area.
It was reported that the local people also supported the rescue efforts. After the accident, 34 train services were canceled.
President of India, Draupadi Murmu, shared on his Twitter account that he was deeply saddened by the “unfortunate accident” and shared the grief of the families who lost their loved ones.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the other hand, stated in his tweet that he met with the Minister of Railways regarding the accident and that all necessary support was given to those affected by the accident.
Modi, heading to the families who lost their loved ones, wished healing to the injured.
Hindustan Times stated that 50 people died and more than 300 were injured in the accident involving 3 trains.