At least 288 people have been killed and over 900 injured in a train accident in the eastern Indian state of Odisha on Friday 2nd June. This is the country's deadliest train accident in 20 years.

Praadeep Jena, one of Odisha's state officials, said more than 200 ambulances had been sent to the scene in the Balasore area and more than 100 medics had been mobilized. "Rescue efforts are continuing in an environment of agony," said Mr. Jena.

Images broadcast from the scene show search and rescue teams working through the debris overnight to find survivors. Sudhanshu Sarangi, head of the Odisha Fire Brigade, said that 200 bodies had been exhumed. Answering questions from reporters this morning, Sarangi said, "There are bodies under the rubble, we will work hard to dig them all out." Authorities fear the death toll could rise further.

The Coromandel Express, travelling at a speed of around 130 km/h, derailed and collided with another passenger train on the adjacent track in the accident, which occurred at around 7pm last night (June 2).

An injured survivor of the accident said: "When I got off the train, I saw scattered limbs. A leg in one place, a hand in another...".

Another witness told Reuters that there was "nothing but blood, broken limbs and dead people".

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that he had met with the railway minister after the accident. Mr Modi offered his condolences to those who had lost family members in the accident and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

The President of India, Draupadi Murmu, also sent a message of condolence. He said he was sorry for the "unfortunate accident" in the country and shared the pain of the families who had lost their loved ones.

This accident is the country's deadliest in recent years. In August 1995, 358 people were killed when two trains collided near Delhi.

Info Source : Reuters

India : at least 288 dead in a train disaster