The Coromandel Express derailed near Bahanaga station in Balasore | Photo: ANI
Balasore/Howrah: At least 179 people were injured and around 50 others were feared dead as several coaches of the Coromandel Express derailed in Odisha's Balasore district on Friday evening, following which it collided head-on with another train on the other line, officials said.
The accident happened around 7.20 pm near Bahanaga Bazar station when the train was on the way to Chennai Central station from the Shalimar station near Kolkata, they said.
According to CPRO Southern Railway, several bogies are reported to have derailed. It was not immediately known how many people were injured in the accident.
Odisha's Special Relief Commissioner Satyabrata Sahoo said 47 people have so far been admitted to the Balasore Medical College and Hospital.
Accident relief trains have been dispatched to the spot, a South Eastern Railway official said.
The Special Relief Commissioner Office said that teams have rushed to the spot for search and rescue operation.
Balasore Collector has also been directed to reach the spot to make all necessary arrangements and intimate the SRC if any additional help is required from the state level, added Special Relief Commissioner Office.
Two fire teams were sent from Bhadrak to the spot.
Four units of the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), three units of NDRF and 60 ambulances were working to rescue the injured, officials said.
The Odisha government has issued helpline number 06782-262286. The railway helplines are 033-26382217 (Howrah), 8972073925 (Kharagpur), 8249591559 (Balasore) and 044- 25330952 (Chennai).
Doctors were sent from Balasore Medical College.
All medical colleges and all hospitals in and around Balasore have been kept on alert. SCB Medical College, Cuttack has also been put on readiness.
PTI, ANI, IANS
(Last updated at 10:00 pm)
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