In the tragic Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express train accident, at least 238 people were killed and 900 were injured.
On the night of the 2nd of June, Friday, a passenger train hit the derailed coaches of a goods train, in Odisha’s Balasore. Mr. Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Union Railway Minister said a high level committee would be set up to investigate the train crash and ordered a probe.
The crash, one of the deadliest in India in recent times, involved the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, and a goods train.
The rescue operations are on and all hospitals in the nearby districts have been put on alert. In addition, three National Defence Rescue Force (NDRF) units, 4 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force units, over 15 fire rescue teams, 30 doctors, 200 police personnel and 60 ambulances have been mobilized to the site, said Odisha Chief Secretary Mr. Pradeep
Moreover, Mr. Naveen Patnaik, the Chief Minister of Odisha has declared one day of state mourning in view of the horrific train crash. In addition, a helpline number has also been set up for people, to find their relatives and other information.
The Railway Minister visited the accident site this morning to take stock of the situation. Mr. Naveen Patnaik said, “Restoration work will take place immediately. Staff and equipment is ready for restoration work, but our first priority is rescue and medical aid to those injured. We will know details only after a detailed inquiry. An independent inquiry will be done.”
Meanwhile, the Union Minister Mr. Ashwini Vaishnaw also announced compensation of Rs. 10 lakh for those who have died, Rs. 2 lakh for those seriously injured and Rs. 50,000 for those who sustained minor injuries in the accident.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi too expressed his distress over the accident, and announced a compensation of Rs. 2 lakh for the family of the dead and Rs. 50,000 for the injured from the PM’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF.)
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