Balasore, Odisha: In a tragic incident that unfolded on Friday evening at approximately 7 pm, a horrific train derailment in Balasore has left nearly 300 people dead and over 800 injured.
The derailment occurred when 10 to 12 coaches of the Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express toppled and fell onto the opposite track, leading to a subsequent collision with the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express.
The collision resulted in the derailment of three to four coaches of the Superfast Express. Adding to the devastation, a goods train was also involved in the crash.
The authorities have launched a high-level investigation into the incident, as announced by Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday. Expressing his condolences to the affected families, Minister Vaishnaw stated, “The accident was unfortunate, and the rescue operation commenced promptly after the incident was reported to his ministry.”
In response to the grave loss of life and injuries, the railway ministry has announced financial assistance. An ex-gratia amount of Rs. 10 lakh will be provided to the families of the deceased, Rs. 2 lakh to those severely injured, and Rs. 50,000 to those who sustained minor injuries.
Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally visited the hospital in Balasore to meet with the survivors and offer his support. The Prime Minister expressed deep sorrow at the tragic loss of lives and assured the affected individuals that the government would extend all possible assistance to them in their time of need.
The Balasore train accident has shaken the entire nation, highlighting the need for rigorous safety measures and infrastructure upgrades in the railway sector. As the investigation proceeds, authorities are working to identify the cause of the derailment and take appropriate actions to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The aftermath of the accident has witnessed a massive rescue operation involving various agencies and emergency services, with efforts focused on providing medical assistance to the injured and bringing the situation under control.
As the nation mourns the loss of lives in this devastating incident, there is a collective call for enhanced safety protocols, improved maintenance of railway infrastructure, and swift action to prevent such tragic accidents from occurring again.
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