Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Friday expressed deep concern over the major train mishap near Balasore and said that saving lives of injured passengers is now the top priority of the government.
The Chief Minister visited the SRC Office in the evening and took stock of the situation.
Speaking to media persons, Patnaik said that the first priority of the government is to take injured persons to hospitals and save their lives. He will visit the accident site tomorrow morning and review the situation on spot.
Chief Secretary PK Jena informed the Chief Minister about the situation.
Naveen had earlier deputed Revenue minister and a team of top officers to the spot to monitor and expedite rescue operation.
It may be mentioned here that at least 50 people were killed and more than 350 injured in a horrific triple train crash Friday in Odisha involving the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express and a goods train, officials said. Several coaches of the 12864 Bengaluru-Howrah train travelling to Howrah derailed at Bahanaga Baazar in Balasore district and fell on adjacent tracks. These derailed coaches collided with 12841 Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express and its coaches capsized too. A goods train was also involved in the accident as the coaches of the Coromandel Express hit its wagons after getting derailed, a railway official said. The accident happened around 7 pm.
PNN & Agencies