Latest Update From Odisha Train Tragedy, Death Toll Rises More Than 200, 900 Injured

Latest Update From Odisha Train Tragedy, Death Toll Rises More Than 200, 900 Injured

At least 207 people were killed and 900 injured when two passenger trains collided in Odisha on Friday, according to government officials in the eastern Indian state, in India’s deadliest rail accident in over a decade.

The death toll is expected to increase, state Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena said in a tweet.

Sudhanshu Sarangi, the director general of the fire department in Odisha, told Reuters that 207 bodies had been recovered so far.

Train tragedy: Odisha govt declares a day’s mourning, no state celebrations today

The Odisha government declared a day of mourning on Saturday in the wake of the horrific train derailment in Balasore, which claimed the lives of more than 200 passengers and left another 900 injured on Friday evening.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik declared a day’s mourning on Saturday, saying that no state celebrations would be held on the day.

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday said he has ordered a high-level probe into the derailment on Friday night.

Speaking to ANI on the incident, Vaishnaw said the accident was unfortunate and the rescue operation began shortly after word of the incident reached his ministry.

He said the probe was ordered to determine what caused the derailment of the passenger train coaches.