Train tragedy toll now 288, over 1,100 rescued

IN ONE OF the largest searchand-rescue operations in recent years, over 2,000 personnel raced against time to make their way through tonnes of steel and find the hundreds trapped in the wreckage of two trains that had crashed Friday evening near Balasore in Odisha. They found 288 bodies, and rescued over 1,100 people.

- SUJIT BISOYI

The rescuers included personnel from the NDRF, Army, fire services, ODRAF, IAF, as well as local volunteers.

The horrific collision involving the Chennai-bound Coromandel Express, the SMVT Bengaluru-Howrah Express and a goods train took place near Bahanaga Bazar station around 7 pm on Friday. Of the more than 1,100 rescued, nearly 500 are being treated at various hospitals in the state.

Odisha's fire services direcSudhanshu tor general Sarangi, who monitored the said operation, the investments made by the state government in upgrading capacity and procuring equipment had paid off in effectively handling the rescue operation.

“Our priority was to rescue all those alive and to extend them the necessary medical treatment. After that, we started recovering the bodies. Around 250 fire services personnel and 120 members of the ODRAF were pressed into action from our side and we did whatever best was possible,” he said.