In one of the most severe train accidents in recent history, over 200 individuals lost their lives and hundreds sustained injuries in a crash involving two passenger trains and a goods train in Balasore, India.
According to Pradeep Jena, the chief secretary of the state, the tragic incident in Odisha state resulted in at least 233 fatalities and 900 injuries.
The death toll is anticipated to increase as rescue teams undertake an extensive operation, as mentioned during a press conference by Jena.
Disturbing images from the scene depicted rescuers diligently searching for survivors amidst the wreckage of a damaged rail carriage. Video footage also revealed overturned coaches scattered along the train tracks, with people navigating through a twisted train carriage.
To aid in the rescue efforts, over 115 ambulances and multiple fire service units were deployed on Friday, as reported by the authorities. Jena stated on Twitter that approximately 500 units of blood were collected overnight, with 900 units currently available in stock.
"This will help in treating the accident victims. I'm personally indebted and grateful to all the volunteers who've donated blood for a noble cause," he wrote.
According to Jena, who spoke to CNN affiliate News18, the exact cause of the devastating collision has not yet been established. He emphasized that the priority at the moment is the continuous rescue operations.
"We are only working (at) sending additional doctors, ambulances, buses, so all those things we are doing so we have not thought of asking what happened, how it happened," he said.
Cause of train crash in India
Indian authorities revealed that the tragic collision unfolded when a passenger train crashed into coaches of another passenger train that had already derailed and shifted onto the opposite track. Consequently, both trains veered off the tracks.
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