Balasore, June 3: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday visited Odisha and reviewed the rescue and relief efforts underway after the tragic train accident in Bahanaga in Balasore district, that has left 288 dead and more than 900 people injured, so far.
The Prime Minister, accompanied with the Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, visited the railway accident site and the Balasore District Headquarters Hospital where the injured are undertaking treatment.
“People from various States who were travelling in the trains have been impacted by this monumental tragedy,” said the Prime Minister.
While talking about the tragic loss of lives, Prime Minister said, “No stone will be left unturned to provide all possible medical help to those injured.”
He said that the Government stands with the bereaved family members who have lost their loved ones.
Prime Minister said that instructions have been given to ensure proper and speedy investigation of the tragedy, and to take prompt and stringent action against those found guilty.
He commended the efforts of the Odisha government, local administration and of the local people, especially youth, who worked through the night to assist ongoing efforts.
He also lauded the local citizens who turned up in large numbers for blood donation, to help those injured.
The train crash – the third deadliest in the country – happened near the Bahanaga Baazar station in Balasore district, about 250 km south of Kolkata and 170 km north of Bhubaneswar, around 7 PM on Friday. Officials said the two express trains were carrying nearly 2,000 people.
According to reports, a signal was given to Coromandel Express to enter the main line but it was taken off and the train entered the loop line, where it crashed into a goods train parked there.
The Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express which was coming at high speed crashed into the coaches of Coromandel Express that had scattered on the adjacent track.
