Odisha Train Accident: It was hard to take people out…,' survivor who turned rescuer at crucial hours
At least 288 people are dead and over 900 injured in a train collision near Bahanaga Bazar railway station in Balasore, Odisha. Survivors recount harrowing tales of horror and hope.
PremiumA day after the tragic train accident in Odisha, one of the survivors shared his horrifying experience and explained how he had to act as as a rescuer during those crucial hours.
Anish Kumar, an injured army soldier who survived the ordeal, recounted the challenges faced in rescuing fellow passengers from the derailed train. He expressed gratitude for surviving the accident despite losing personal belongings and documents.
"I'm an army personnel...it was hard to take people out of the train...we took our injured fellow passengers to hospital...I lost my documents, army ID card, phone, luggage etc...I'm glad that I survived the accident...": Aneesh Kumar, one of the #BalasoreTrainAccident survivors who arrived at Chennai
In a tragic train accident near Bahanaga Bazar railway station in Balasore, Odisha, relief work is still ongoing as authorities grapple with the aftermath. The collision between the Chennai-bound Coromandel Express and the Howrah-bound SMVP-Howrah Superfast Express has resulted in a devastating loss of life, with at least 288 people reported dead and over 900 injured.
Efforts are underway to provide aid and support to the victims of the accident. Injured individuals are being transported to Chennai via a special train to receive medical treatment.
Survivors ordeal
Ompal Bhatia, a survivor of the three-train crash, initially believed he had perished. Along with three friends, Bhatia was on his way to Chennai for work.
During the four-hour journey on the Coromandel Express, the 25-year-old spent most of the time standing due to the overcrowded conditions. Bhatia, who works in the plywood industry, recalled that just moments before the collision, some passengers were preparing to sleep.
The rail car, S3, was packed to capacity, leaving only standing room. Bhatia and his friends held onto a chain for support as the train moved along. The train route is frequently used by daily wage workers and individuals employed as cheap labour in Chennai and Bangalore industries. “When the accident happened, we thought we were dead. When we realized we were alive, we started making our way toward the emergency window to get out of the train. The rail car had gone off the track and had fallen to one side," Bhatia said.
Moti Sheikh, another traveller in the same rail car, also stood amidst a group of six men from his village. They planned to eat and then sit on the floor to sleep since they did not have seats.
Suddenly, a deafening and violent noise reverberated through the air. They felt the train abruptly start moving backward. Initially mistaking the sound for the brakes, Sheikh soon realized the coach was toppling.
"When the accident happened, we thought we were dead. When we realized we were alive, we started making our way toward the emergency window to get out of the train. The rail car had gone off the track and had fallen to one side," Bhatia shared during a phone interview with Reuters on Saturday.
Amidst the chaos, Bhatia and his friends managed to escape, witnessing scenes of devastation and loss. "We saw a lot of dead people. Everybody was either trying to save their lives or looking for loved ones," Bhatia recounted. Thankfully, he and his friends survived.
Sheikh expressed similar sentiments, stating that he and his companions believed they would not make it. "We were crying when we came out," he added, mentioning that it took approximately 20 minutes before help arrived.
Rescue efforts underway
In an attempt to facilitate identification and preservation of the deceased, the Odisha government has taken the decision to transfer around 160 bodies to Bhubaneswar. These bodies will be preserved in mortuaries at various government and private hospitals, ensuring easier access for grieving family members. Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena emphasized that efforts will be made to store unidentified bodies for 42 hours, following which appropriate disposal procedures will be followed if no claims are made.
Currently, 55 bodies have been identified and released to their respective families after post-mortem examinations. The remaining unidentified bodies are being held at designated locations, including the Business Park Bhanga High School and a makeshift mortuary on the outskirts of Balasore. Over 1,175 individuals have been admitted to hospitals across Odisha, with 793 already discharged after receiving medical care.
( With inputs from ANI)
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