Bhubaneswar, June 4 (). Describing the horrific train accident in Odisha’s Balasore as a very serious incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the government will leave no stone unturned to provide best medical facilities to the injured. Severe punishment will be given if found guilty.
Speaking to the media at Balasore Hospital after meeting the injured passengers, Modi said, “People from many states were traveling in these two trains and many of them have lost their lives.” It is a traumatic event and it is very difficult to imagine about it.
Those who have died cannot be brought back, but the government stands with their families, he said. This is a very serious incident. An inquiry has been ordered. Whoever is found guilty will be punished severely.
The Prime Minister also thanked the Government of Odisha and the local administration for helping the passengers of the two trains and also thanked the local people who reached out to help.
Modi also appreciated the people and youth of the area for donating blood and working through the night to help in the rescue and relief operations.
The Prime Minister said, the Railways has put all its strength into the relief work and is also working for the restoration of the track. I visited the accident spot and also spoke to the injured passengers. I have no words to express my sorrow. I pray that God gives all of us the courage to get through this hour of grief.
Earlier, Modi visited the crash site where at least 288 people died and over 900 were injured. The PM took stock of the situation.
According to government officials, Modi reviewed the ongoing relief work at the accident site.
He also interacted with local officials, disaster relief forces personnel and railway officials.
The Prime Minister stressed on a whole-of-government approach to mitigate the monumental tragedy. Modi also spoke to the Cabinet Secretary and Union Health Minister from the spot and asked them to ensure that all help is provided to the injured and their families.
The Prime Minister said that special care should be taken to ensure that the bereaved families are not put to inconvenience and the affected get all possible help.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, who reached Balasore earlier in the day, briefed the Prime Minister about the accident and the rescue and relief operations.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was also present at the accident site.
Nearly 16 hours after the Coromandel Express, SMVP-Howrah Superfast Express and a goods train collided, the Railways on Saturday afternoon declared the rescue operation over and the restoration work began.
The Chennai-bound Coromandel Express and the Howrah-bound SMVP-Howrah Superfast Express met with an accident on Friday evening. 21 coaches of two trains derailed near Bahanaga Bazar railway station in Odisha’s Balasore district.
Friday’s accident brought back horrific memories of another deadly train accident in UP’s Firozabad in 1995, in which 358 people were killed.
In a similar accident, on 2 August 1999, the Brahmaputra Mail collided with the Awadh-Assam Express near Gasal in Assam, in which around 290 people lost their lives.
SGK
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