Coromandel Accident: PM Modi Takes Stock Of Situation; Mamata Sends Team To Cooperate With Odisha Govt

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi called up Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to take stock of the situation following the Coromandel Express accident at Panapana, near Bahanaga station, in Odisha’s Balasore district on Friday evening.

“Distressed by the train accident in Odisha. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon. Spoke to Railway Minister @AshwiniVaishnaw and took stock of the situation. Rescue ops are underway at the site of the mishap and all possible assistance is being given to those affected,” the PM tweeted.

West Bengal Chief minister Mamata Banerjee was “shocked” to know about the accident and informed that they are coordinating with “Odisha government and South Eastern Railway.”

Mamata said she is sending a 5-6 member team to the spot to help Odisha government and railway authorities in rescue and relief work.

Union Home Minister tweeted that the accident was “deeply agonizing”.

“The NDRF team has already reached the accident site, and other teams are also rushing to join the rescue operation. My condolences to the bereaved families and praying for the speedy recovery of those injured,” Shah wrote.

The Howrah-Chennai Superfast Coromandel Express collided with a stationary goods train at Panapana near Bahanaga station in Balsore district at around 7.15 pm.

At least 300 people have been injured after the Chennai-bound Coromandel Express hit the derailed coaches of another train travelling from Bengaluru to Kolkata, NDTV quoted Railway Ministry spokesperson Amitabh Sharma as saying.