train disaster leaves at least 50 dead and more than 500 injured

Drama in Eastern India. At least 50 people were killed and more than 500 were injured in a rail disaster involving several trains in the state of Odisha (India), Pradeep Jena, a senior state official, announced on Friday June 2.

A passenger train, the Coromandel Express, and a freight convoy collided near Balasore, about 200 kilometers from Bhubaneswar, capital of Odisha state. A second passenger train was also involved in this tragedy, according to Pradeep Jena. “About 50 people are dead and more than 500 injured. Our top priority now is to rescue [les passagers] and care for the woundedhe told AFP.

“We expect the rescue operations to continue at least until tomorrow morning. On our side, we have prepared all the major public and private hospitals, from the accident site to the state capital, in order to take care of the wounded”, said a spokesman for state authorities. He added that “75 ambulances” had already been dispatched to the scene, and that “many cars” had also been sent to transport both injured passengers and survivors. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said “afflicted” by the accident. The Minister of Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, meanwhile assured that he was going to the scene of the disaster.