Odisha Train Crash: PM Modi Interacts With Injured At Hospital, Promises All Help

Balasore: After reviewing the situation at the site of the horrific triple train mishap on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the hospital in Odisha’s Balasore where those injured in the accident are undergoing treatment.

The Prime Minister went around the hospital and interacted with the injured passengers to ascertain their condition. He spoke to several of them and was stated to have assured them that all necessary steps will be taken to mitigate their plight, sources said.

During his visit to the hospital, Modi also interacted to the doctors and health officials about the arrangements made for the treatment of passengers admitted there after the deadly mishap that took place on Friday evening. At least 261 people were killed and over 900 injured in the mishap.

Modi was accopmanied by Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and senior officials.

The Prime Minister, who also visited the mishap site at Bahanaga before proceeding to the hospital, spoke to the Cabinet Secretary and Union Health Minister and asked them to ensure all needed help is provided to the injured and their families, official sources said.

Moi also said that special care must be taken to ensure that the bereaved families do not face inconvenience and those affected keep getting assistance they require.

At the mishap site at Bahanaga, PM Modi reviewed relief works that are underway and interacted with local authorities, personnel from the disaster relief forces and railways officials. He emphasised on ‘Whole of Government’ approach to mitigate this monumental tragedy.

Modi landed at Bahanaga by an Indian Air Force (IAF) chopper and proceeded to the site where the deadly mishap had taken place. The Prime Minister had reached Kalaikunda Air Force Station in West Bengal in a special plane from New Delhi and they flew to Bahanaga in the IAF chopper.

It may be noted here that the deadly mishap took place on Friday evening when Coromandel Express, heading to Chennai, reportedly derailed and hit a goods train, after which many coaches of the passenger train flipped over and fell on the opposite track. The Yesvantpur-Howrah Superfast coming from the opposite side then collided with the derailed coaches. Both trains were moving at a high speed at the time of the collision.