The death toll after a train accident in Odisha, India, rose to 207, while the number of injuries rose to 900, local authorities said.
“The death toll in the train accident is rising,” Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena said on social media, confirming the number of dead and injured, according to a report by the Special Relief Organization, which addresses the disaster management in the state.
The incident occurred on Friday night in the eastern Indian city, involving three trains, Jena added.
Through Twitter, Jena specified that more than 200 ambulances responded to the scene of the violent train accident.
Rescue teams have been mobilized from various parts of the country, according to India’s Minister of Railways, Communications, Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw.
The minister delimited from Twitter that “the victims of this unfortunate accident” will receive ex gratia payments.
Relatives who suffered a death will receive 10 lakhs, which is equivalent to about $12,000, and those who suffered serious injuries will receive 2 lakhs, which is equivalent to about $2,400, Vaishnaw said.
Meanwhile, people with minor injuries will receive Rs 50,000, equivalent to about $600, the minister concluded.
For his part, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, expressed feeling “distressed” and expressed his condolences to the relatives.
“In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families,” Modi said. “May the injured recover soon.”
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