Balasore, Odisha (June 3, 2023) - At least 233 people were killed and over 900 injured in a train accident in Odisha's Balasore district on Friday evening. The accident occurred when the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express collided with the derailed coaches of the Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express.
The collision was so severe that many coaches of the Coromandel Express were destroyed. One of the engines climbed on to the rack of the goods train. Window panes were broken in the collision and about 50 people fell out.
The injured have been rushed to nearby hospitals, where they are being treated for their injuries. The death toll is expected to rise as rescue operations continue.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation. However, initial reports suggest that the accident may have been caused by a signaling error.
The accident has caused widespread shock and grief across the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his condolences to the families of the victims. He has also announced a compensation of ₹2 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.
The accident is a reminder of the need for better safety measures on India's railways. The government has promised to conduct a thorough investigation into the accident and take steps to prevent similar accidents from happening in the future. (agencies)
