Possible steps being taken to save lives: Naveen to PM Modi on Odisha train tragedy

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Government is taking all possible steps to save lives of passengers injured in the most horrific train tragedy in Balasore district on Friday evening, told Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Speaking to PM over phone, CM Naveen briefed him about the latest situation, particularly on treatment being provided to the train accident victims in different hospitals in Odisha.

He said that the doctors and medical students are doing their best to save lives of victims. Even the common people are also extending their help by donating blood for the injured persons.

Stressing on Odisha Government’s policy that underlines ‘Every Life is Precious’, Patnaik said that starting from rescue operation to carrying the victims to hospitals, the government is making arrangements for treatment.

“We are leaving no stone unturned to save lives,” Patnaik told Modi.

Detailing about the updates on Balasore train tragedy, he said that as many as 1175 victims are admitted to various hospitals, out of which 783 were discharged. Most of the injured patients are stated to be in stable condition.

Currently, 382 passengers are undergoing treatment in different government and private hospitals.

PM Modi, who had visited the train accident site at Bahanaga to take stock of situation and met the victims at Balasore DHH yesterday, expressed his gratitude to Odisha Government for the prompt and efficient action during the crisis.

He said that the Centre will provide any kind of assistance if required.

He also praised people of Odisha for kind support and timely help to in this hour of crisis.

So far, 288 bodies have been recovered from the accident site at Bahanaga area in Balasore district during hours long rescue operation.

The most disastrous incident occurred involving three trains — Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast, Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express and a goods train — on separate tracks at Panpana area near Bahanaga Bazar Railway Station in Balasore district at around 7 pm on June 2, claiming hundreds of lives.

World leaders and many key personalities expressed their condolences over loss of lives in the tragic train mishap.