A terrible accident in India involving 3 trains occurred this weekend, on Friday, June 2. As a result of the crash, about 900 people are now injured and 300 died in the event.
This tragedy was categorized by the country as one of the worst accidents they have ever had since the decade of the 90s. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen sent her condolences and thoughts to India in a message posted to her Twitter account.
Terrible news from India.
I express my deepest condolences to the families of the victims of the Odisha train accident and wish a speedy recovery to the injured.
The people of India are in our thoughts in this time of sorrow.
Europe mourns with you @narendramodi
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) June 3, 2023
The Indian authorities stated that the event took place near Balasore, in the Odisha state. According to the official investigation, the collision was caused by one of the train’s derailments. The vehicle was on its way from Bengalaru to Calcutta, in the northeast of India. Allegedly, the train went out of control and got off the main lane, crashing into a goods train already parked over there. Its coaches fell onto the other tracks on both sides of the way. Consequently, the next train, Howrah Superfast Express, was not able to react on time and it derailed as well, causing a 3-train accident.
In an attempt to compensate the people who have been affected, families of the deceased will receive 1 million rupees ($12,000 USD), seriously injured will get 200,000 rupees and minor injured people will get 50,000 rupees. About the accident Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated:
It’s a big tragic accidente. Our complete focus is on the rescue and relief operation, and we are trying to ensure that those injured get the best possible treatment.
