Bhubaneswar, June 3 (IANS) The Odisha government has mobilised an additional 50 doctors and deployed 115 ambulances for the rescue and treatment of all the injured persons in a major accident, several coaches of the Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel express train derailed near Bahanaga railway station in Odisha's Balasore district on Friday evening.
One of the major challenges before the authorities is now to provide medical care to the injured persons. As per reports, over 200 persons have been seriously injured in the mishap.
Health department officials said that 50 doctors from different government hospitals have been mobilised to Balasore to provide treatment to the injured passengers. Besides, a team of doctors from SCB Medical College and Hospital has also rushed to the spot.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow over the tragic incident.
Distressed by the train accident in Odisha. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon. Spoke to Railway Minister @AshwiniVaishnaw and took stock of the situation. Rescue ops are underway at the site of the mishap and all…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 2, 2023
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also expressed sorrow over the horrific tragedy.
ओड़िशा में हुआ ये दर्दनाक रेल हादसा बेहद दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण एवं व्यथित कर देने वाला है। इस दुखद हादसे में जिन्होंने अपनों को खो दिया उन सभी परिवारों के प्रति में मेरी संवेदनाएँ हैं। ईश्वर दिवंगत आत्माओं को अपने चरणों में स्थान दें एवं उनके परिवारों को इस मुश्किल घड़ी में हिम्मत और… https://t.co/RtfBd3NrTe
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) June 2, 2023
The Cuttack Medical College along with AIIMS Bhubaneswar, private hospitals in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack have been kept ready to receive patients, the officials said. All the hospitals enroute from Balasore to Cuttack have been kept in readiness to receive patients.
A 100-bed hospital and a dedicated ambulance corridor have been made ready at the SCB Medical College and Hospital, said Cuttack Collector Bhabani Shankar Chayani.
The neighbouring districts have been asked to mobilise lightweight stretchers and body carriers along with bedsheets. All mortuaries have been kept in readiness, officials said.
All required first-aid consumables, drugs and IV fluids are in sufficient stock. Besides, relocation of some additional stock from Mayurbhanj district warehouse is being done immediately for Balasore, said health secretary Shalini Pandit.
The Central Drug Warehouse in Bhubaneswar is in readiness for dispatch of drugs and consumables in case of any need, she said.
"We are alert and in contact with district teams for any requirements," she added.
Meanwhile, NDRF, ODRAF, Odisha Fire Service along with several volunteer organisations are conducting the rescue operations.
