Today: Sunday, 8 December 2024 year

Indian Prime Minister called a meeting because of a train collision in Odisha.

Indian Prime Minister called a meeting because of a train collision in Odisha.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called a meeting with railway representatives in connection with the collision of two passenger and freight trains in the state of Odisha, which killed more than 280 people.

The collision of trains occurred on Friday evening near the city of Balasore in India. According to updated data from the railway authorities, several carriages of a passenger train traveling from Kolkata to Chennai derailed due to a collision with a freight train and fell onto the opposite track. After some time, another passenger train crashed into them, as a result, three or four more wagons with people derailed. At least 288 people died and more than 900 were injured in the train crash, according to the latest data.

During the meeting, Modi will discuss rescue and treatment of victims and other issues related to the accident, sources said.

Earlier, Modi, along with other high-ranking Indian officials, politicians and members of parties, including the opposition, expressed condolences in connection with the train derailment. The Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund also announced Rs 200,000 compensation for the next of kin of each of the dead and Rs 50,000 for the wounded.