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Coromandel Express collides with freight train in Odisha's Balasore, derails; many feared dead

by Trans World Features | @twfindia 02 Jun 2023, 10:43 am

Balasore : A passenger express train met with a massive accident near Bahanaga railway station in Odisha's Balasore district as at least eight bogies of 12841 Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express derailed after colliding with a freights train on Friday evening.

Rescue teams have reached the spot. As per local media channel reports quoting eyewitnesses, at least two people have died and the toll is likely to rise.

Many are feared trapped. Some injured people were taken to hospitals. As many as 47 people have been admitted to Balasore Hospital alone, said media reports.

Visuals showed the many bodies of the train dismantled.

The train was en route from Kolkata to Chennai.

The train started its journey at 3.30 pm from West Bengal's Shalimar station and arrived at Balasore station at 6.30 pm. It was scheduled to reach Chennai at 4.50 pm on Saturday.

Expressing shock over the accident, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee informed that her government has sent a 5-6 member team to the spot to cooperate with the Odisha government and railway authorities and to assist rescue operations.

The Odisha Government has provided several helpline numbers -- 033-26382217, 8972073925, 67822 62286, 9332392339.