Dozens feared dead and more than 100 wounded after trains collide in India
- At least 132 people are feared dead with more feared trapped under rail cars
Dozens are feared dead and at least 132 people injured after a passenger train collided with a freight train in India, local media and officials have said tonight.
The collision resulted in several carriages of a passenger train derailed in Balasore, in the Eastern India state of Odisha after it collided with a freight train, officials and reports said.
The Press Trust of India of India reported that around 50 people were ‘feared dead,’ citing unnamed officials.
Rescuers were attempting to free 200 people trapped under derailed train cars.
The train which crashed in Balasore is about 200 kilometres (125 miles) from the state capital Bhubaneswar, is reportedly the Coromandel Express, which runs from Kolkata to Chennai.
Dozens are feared dead and at least 132 people injured after a passenger train collided with a freight train in East India
Local repots say the Coromandel Express, which runs from Kolkata to Chennai, collided with a freight train in Balasore, East India
Rescuers are trying to help 200 people who are reportedly trapped under derailed train carraiges
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was ‘distressed’ by the incident.
Writing on Twitter he said: ‘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 Ashwini Waishnaw and took stock of the situation.
‘Rescue operations are underway at the site of the mishap and all possible assistance is being given those affected.’
This is a breaking news story – more follows.
