India Train Crash Tragedy: Marks as the worst train crash in decades: Over 230 Fatalities reported

Hamariweb  |  Jun 03, 2023

India Train Crash Tragedy: Marks as the worst train crash in decades: Over 230 Fatalities reported

In a devastating incident that shocked the nation, over 230 individuals lost their lives and hundreds were injured when a passenger train derailed and collided with two other trains in eastern India. This rail disaster has captured global attention due to its exceptionally high toll, even in a country with a long history of deadly crashes.

The tragic incident occurred in the state of Odisha, leaving India, now the world’s most populous country, grappling with renewed concerns about safety issues within its extensive transportation system. With over eight billion passengers relying on the rail network each year, despite recent investments, decades of neglect have yet been fully addressed.

Odisha’s chief secretary, Pradeep Jena, announced that the crash claimed the lives of 238 people, with an additional 900 injured. Authorities fear the death toll may rise as more information becomes available. The exact cause of the derailment remains unclear.

As the sun rose, dedicated teams of rescue workers equipped with cutting tools and search dogs worked tirelessly to free survivors trapped within the wreckage of twisted train carriages. The mobilization of 115 ambulances and the readiness of nearby hospitals demonstrated the urgent response to the catastrophe.

Following India’s worst rail disaster in two decades, the state government, home to approximately 45 million residents, declared a day of mourning. Numerous train services canceled, and the Army, Air Force, and National Disaster Response Force deployed to assist with rescue efforts. The local community also came forward, with many lining up to donate blood near the crash site.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and assured the victims of “all possible assistance.” He is likely to visit the disaster site to assess the situation firsthand. “In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families,” the Prime Minister shared on Twitter, adding his hopes for a speedy recovery for the injured.

According to South Eastern Railway, the operator of the trains involved, the derailment occurred when multiple cars veered off the tracks and collided with a second train in Balasore District. Local reports indicated that a third train carrying goods became entangled in the wreckage. Among the passengers were individuals returning from information technology or nursing jobs in southern India, as well as day laborers, as reported by The Indian Express.

Eyewitnesses shared their harrowing experiences, such as Ashok Samal, a shopkeeper from Bahanaga village. Samal described the deafening noise and rushed to the railway track when the incident unfolded. He witnessed a horrifying scene of mangled train cars, with people trapped underneath and others crying out for help.

Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Minister of Railways, confirmed that a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash has initiated. “Rescue and relief efforts are our immediate priority,” Vaishnaw stated from the disaster site, assuring that more information will emerge following the inquiry.

This tragic incident marks the deadliest train crash in India since the West Bengal disaster in 1999, which claimed the lives of 285 individuals.

Rescue workers search for survivors at the site of a train derailment in Pukhrayan, south of Kanpur city, India November 20, 2016. REUTERS/Jitendra Prakash

India’s railway system, initially developed by British colonial authorities in the 19th century, spans over 40,000 miles of track. Covering a nation twice the size of Alaska, extending from the Himalayas to tropical rainforests, this expansive network serves as a vital lifeline for millions of passengers daily.

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