Yesterday, a horrible train accident happened, resulting in countless fatalities and injuries. Approximately 10 to 12 coaches of the Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express derailed and overturned into the other track. The Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express then collided with the derailed coaches, forcing three to four of its own coaches to derail. One of the three trains involved in the collision was a freight train, thank goodness.
The disaster took the lives of more than 290 persons and wounded more than 900 others. Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw immediately ordered a high-level investigation into the catastrophe and began a rescue mission to recover lives.
In an act of solidarity, the railway ministry provided compensation of 10 lakh rupees for the relatives of the deceased, 2 lakh rupees for the badly injured, and 50,000 rupees for those with lesser injuries. Additionally, international leaders extended their sympathies and assistance. Ursula von der Leyen, head of the European Commission, conveyed her sympathies to the victims and their families, while Vladimir Putin, president of Russia, and the government of Turkey extended their condolences to India.
