• By JE Sports Desk
  • Sat, 03 Jun 2023 01:41 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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JE Sports Desk: India star batter Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer and former cricketers including Virender Sehwag, Anil Kumble, Irfan Pathan among others have extended their thoughts and prayers to the families of the bereaved following the tragic train accident in Odisha on Friday night.

As per the latest update from South Eastern Railway, the death toll in the accident has increased to 261, with around 900 people injured. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday morning visited the accident site and announced a detailed high-level inquiry will be conducted and an independent inquiry by the rail safety commissioner.

PM Narendra Modi had conducted a review meeting of the accident, following which he has departed for Odisha.

Here are the reactions from cricketers on the incident:

"Saddened to hear about the tragic train accident in Odisha. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families who lost their loved ones and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured," Kohli tweeted.

 

"Shocking visuals from Odisha. Praying for those affected by the tragic train accident," Iyer tweeted.

"Extremely sad hearing about this tragic train accident involving Coromandel Express in Odisha. Condolences to all families who have lost their loved ones and prayers for quick recovery of those injured," Sehwag tweeted.

Taking to Twitter, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan wrote, "Heart wrenching news coming from Odisha. My thoughts and prayers for the families who lost their lives in this horrific train accident. #OdishaTrainTragedy."

"Anguished by the tragic train accident in Odisha. Thoughts and prayers with all those affected," Anil Kumble tweeted.


"Pained to know about railway accident in Odisha involving Coromandel express and another passenger train. Thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their near and dear ones. Appeal
@RailMinIndia & Govt. of Odisha to rescue the passengers at the earliest," Harbhajan Singh had tweeted on Friday night.

On Friday evening, 17 coaches of the Coromandel Express and SMVT-Howrah Super Fast Express derailed, leading to one of the worst railway accidents in the country in the last 15 years.

In a bulletin, the SE Railway said: "Train number 12841 Shalimar-Chennai, Coromandal Express and Train number 12864 Sir M Visvesvaraya-Howrah Superfast Express got derailed near Bahanaga Bazar Railway station at around 6.55 PM on June 2.


Here is a full list of helpline numbers issued by Odisha and West Bengal governments:

Bhadrak: 8455889900
Jajpur Keonihar Road: 8455889906
Cuttack: 8455889917
Bhubaneswar: 8455889922
Khurda Road: 6370108046
Brahmapur: 89173887241
Balugaon: 9937732169
Palasa: 8978881006
Howrah Helpline Number: 033-26382217
Kharagpur Helpline Number: 8972073925 & 9332392339
Balasore Helpline Number: 8249591559 & 7978418322
Shalimar Helpline Number: 9903370746


According to the Railways, the Coromandel Express was heading towards Chennai, while the Sir M Visvesvaraya-Howrah Superfast Express was coming towards Howrah with 1,000 passengers.

A senior Railway Ministry official said that the massive accident happened after coaches of Coromandal Express derailed and hit a standing good trains on one side while some fell on opposite rail track on which SMVP-Howrah Superfast Express was coming from Yashwantpur side and going towards Howrah.

The SMVP-Howrah Superfast Express hit the capsized coaches and massive accident took place.

"Accident Relief trains with medical equipment, doctors and paramedics have rushed to the site from Kharagpur and Bhadrak. As per the information received till now, there are 261 casualties. Around 650 injured passengers have been taken to the Hospitals of Gopalpur, Khantapara, Balasore, Bhadrak and Soro."

Speaking to the media at the accident site, Vaishnaw said: "Our focus is on rescue and relief operations. Restoration will begin after clearance from district administration. A detailed high-level inquiry will be conducted and the rail safety commissioner will also carry out an independent inquiry."

(With IANS inputs)