President Bola Tinubu has reached out to the government and people of India to express his condolence following a fatal and massive train crash involving multiple trains in the country. The accident which occurred in the Indian city of Balasore, in the eastern state of Odisha, claimed the lives of over 280 passengers with more than 900 others severely injured.
Reacting to the accident, Mr Tinubu described the event as heart-rending while consoling the Indian government and the families of the victims. “My heart goes to the families of those affected in the unfortunate and heartrending train crash in the Indian State of Odisha. We stand with India in brotherhood at this difficult time. The magnitude of the crash and the high casualty figure call for global support for India to adequately respond to this calamitous accident. I send my deepest sympathy and condolences to His Excellency Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the people of India, and the families of those trapped in the crash,” the President said.
The cause of India’s worst train accident in over 20 years remains unknown. However, officials say several coaches from the Coromandel Express travelling between Kolkata and Chennai derailed in Balasore district after hitting a stationary goods train. Several of the event’s coaches ended up on the other side of the track. Shortly after, the Howrah Superfast Express travelling from Yesvantpur to Howrah collided with the overturned carriages.
Atul Karwal, the Chief of the National Disaster Response Force, described the force of the crash leaving several cars “crushed and mangled.”
In response to the crash, emergency workers sprang into action, launching a massive search and rescue operation that involved hundreds of ambulances and rescue personnel.
The tragedy has resulted in one of India’s largest train accidents in recent times with the police and rescue workers, alongside Indian authorities, battling to determine the cause and bring relief to those affected by the disaster.
Nigeria’s President Tinubu commiserates with India over the train crash, and the world mourns with India, praying for the speedy recovery of the injured and the repose of the deceased.
