Two dead, many injured in collision between passenger and goods train in Odisha; Suresh Prabhu orders probe

Bhubaneswar: One person was reported to be dead and several injured after a passenger train rammed into a goods train at Kathajodi Railway Station at Cuttack on Thursday.

The collision happened between a Bhubaneswar-Bhadrak passenger train and a goods train, East Coast Railway officials said.

PTI quoted officials as saying that the passenger train (number 78408) hit the good train (BCN-DANKUNI) from behind.

Preliminary reports indicate that the collision took place due to wrong signal on the track.

The local police and ECoR authorities and personnel of Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) rushed to the spot for rescue operations.

An accident relief train and a medical van was also have rushed to the place of accident, as per ECoR officials.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed concern over the accident and has directed state government officials to ensure free treatment to the injured passengers.

On the other hand, Union Railway Minister tweeted:

1/ Ordered immediate probe into the accident of Bhubaneshwar-Badrak train,negligence will be punished severely — Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) September 29, 2016

2/ Ordered GMs, senior officials to rush to the site immediately. I am constantly monitoring the situation — Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) September 29, 2016

3/ Immediate medical relief being provided.Ordered payment of ex gratia compensation — Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) September 29, 2016

Ex gratia will be given to injured and dead All emergency aid rushed GMs and all Sr officers ordered to be on site All relief measures on — Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) September 29, 2016

(With Agency inputs)