President Murmu, PM Modi Express Grief Over Odisha Train Accident

President Draupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and many other leaders expressed grief over the loss of lives in the train accident in the Balasore district on Friday evening.

Many were feared dead and 600 people were injured as a three-way accident involving Bengaluru-Howrah superfast express, the Coromandel Express and goods train on three separate tracks occurred at Bahanagar in Odisha's Balasore district.

A railway official said that several coaches of 12864 Bengaluru-Howrah superfast express travelling to Howrah, derailed at Bahanagabazar and fell on the upline. "These derailed coaches collided with 12841 Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express and its coaches capsized too," he said.

The accident happened around 7.20 pm near Bahanaga Bazar station when the Coromandel Express was on the way to Chennai Central station from Shalimar station near Kolkata, they said.

President Murmu on Twitter said that she is deeply anguished by the unfortunate incident. "Deeply anguished to know about the loss of lives in an unfortunate rail accident in Balasore, Odisha. My heart goes out to the bereaved families. I pray for the success of rescue operations and quick recovery of the injured," she said.

Expressing distress over the train accident in Odisha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said rescue operations were underway at the site and all possible assistance was being given to those affected.

The PM spoke to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to take stock of the situation.

"Distressed by the train accident in Odisha. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon," the PM said in a tweet. "Spoke to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and took stock of the situation.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the accident was "deeply agonising". "The train accident at Balasore in Odisha is deeply agonizing. The NDRF team has already reached the accident site, and other teams are also rushing to join the rescue operation. My condolences to the bereaved families and praying for the speedy recovery of those injured," Shah tweeted.

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that rescue teams have been mobilised from Bhubaneswar and Kolkata. "Will take all hands required for the rescue ops," he tweeted.

He announced ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased in the tragedy, Rs 2 lakh towards grievous and Rs 50,000 for minor injuries.

Expressing condolence over the incident, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar tweeted, "Deeply anguished by the loss of lives in a train accident in Balasore, Odisha. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this difficult time. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured."

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge urged the authorities to expedite the rescue operation. "Deeply saddened by the terrible train tragedy involving Coromandel Express in Odisha. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims. We urge the authorities to expedite rescue operations & provide relief to the injured. Request Congress workers to provide all possible help," he said.

Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi wished speedy recovery of those injured and appealed to the Congress workers to extend all support for the rescue efforts.

"Anguished by the tragic news of the accident involving the Coromandel Express, in Balasore, Odisha. My heart goes out to the bereaved families. Wishing for the speedy recovery of those injured. I urge Congress workers & leaders to extend all support needed for rescue efforts," he said on Twitter.