Balasore: Four coaches of the Coromandel Express derailed in Odisha’s Balasore district Friday evening after a head-on collision with a goods train, 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.
Several people are feared dead in the mishap. Dozens of passengers were seen being ferried to local hospitals. The authorities, however, did not specify the number of casualties.
At the time of filing the report, the rescue team and locals were trying to rescue the passengers.
The state government has also directed the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action (ODRAF) Force to assist in rescue operations.
Accident relief trains have been dispatched to the spot, a South Eastern Railway official said.
Odisha SRC, meanwhile, released an emergency control room number: 6782262286 for enquiries. He informed that Balasore Collector has been asked to reach the spot and facilitate a rescue operation.
Further details are awaited.
PNN & Agencies