At least 275 people lost their lives in a devastating train collision in India’s eastern state of Odisha on Friday evening. The tragedy unfolded when a passenger train collided with a stationary freight train, derailed, and then struck another passenger train approaching from the opposite direction, according to Indian authorities.
Rescue teams, health workers, police, firefighters, and disaster relief personnel quickly mobilized to the crash site in Balasore district. The Indian Air Force dispatched Mi-17 helicopters to assist in the extensive rescue operations, which continued until late Saturday afternoon. All injured passengers were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.
At Soro Hospital in Balasore, survivors recounted harrowing stories of their narrow escapes. One survivor expressed deep anguish over the incident, stating, “I am traumatized by what happened. The government should improve the railway management.” The emotional plea highlights growing concerns over railway safety and infrastructure in the country.
The preliminary investigations by local authorities suggest that a signal failure may have caused the multi-train collision. Officials are examining the signaling system to determine the exact sequence of events leading up to the disaster.
This incident is one of the deadliest train accidents in India in recent years and has reignited discussions on the need for modernization and stricter safety protocols within the nation’s vast railway network. The Indian government has announced compensation for the victims’ families and promised a thorough investigation to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The railway system in India is one of the largest in the world, serving millions of passengers daily. While it remains a crucial mode of transportation, challenges such as outdated infrastructure and overcrowding persist. Advocates for railway reform hope that this tragic event will serve as a catalyst for meaningful changes to enhance safety and efficiency.
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Indian train crash survivor urges govt to improve railway management
cgtn.com
