India Train Crash Killed 288 People, Almost One Thousand Injured

VIVA – The death toll from a train crash in India increased to 288 on Saturday, as rescue teams ended the search for victims, the officials said. The crash happened in Balasore District, Odisha on Friday night and a massive rescue operation was carried out involving the National Disaster Response Force, the military, and other agencies.

On Saturday, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi visited the accident location and reviewed the search and rescue operations. 

"He interacted with local authorities, personnel of the disaster response force, and railway officials. He emphasized the Whole of Government approach to mitigate this tremendous tragedy," India's Press Information Bureau said on Twitter about Modi's visit.

Modi asked the authorities to ensure that all necessary assistance is provided to the injured as well as their families. After meeting the injured, Then, Modi told public broadcaster Doordarshan that instructions had been issued for a thorough investigation, and said that those found guilty would be severely punished.

He promised that the government would make every effort to provide treatment to the injured. Earlier, Modi held a meeting in New Delhi to be briefed on the situation following the train accident.

A report issued by the Odisha emergency operations center on Saturday described the accident as a three-way accident, involving the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, Coromandel Express, and a goods train on three separate tracks at Bahanaga market station. 

"17 cars of both trains were derailed and badly damaged," said the report, which noted that around 1,000 people were injured.

Railway authorities also said that rescue operations have been completed at the accident site and restoration work has begun. Authorities in Odisha announced that 200 ambulances and 45 mobile health teams, as well as an additional team of doctors, had been deployed.

Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde, a top official from Balasore district, told Anadolu that nearly 1,100 people were injured in the accident and transferred to various hospitals.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who arrived at the location on Saturday stated the best healthcare facilities will be provided to the injured and a high-level committee has been formed to investigate and to find out the cause of the accident.