The Indian Air Force (IAF) today deployed Mi-17 helicopters for the evacuation of deceased and injured in the Odisha triple train accident, informed Eastern Command.
The death count in the Odisha train accident involving two express trains - Bengaluru-Howrah Express and Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express - and a goods train in Balasore has risen to 238, South Eastern Railway said today.
According to the Eastern Command, IAF is coordinating the rescue efforts with the civil administration and Indian Railways.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has convened a meeting to review the situation in relation to the rail accident.
The 12864 Sir M Visvesvaraya (Bengaluru)-Howrah Express Superfast Express was travelling towards Howrah with 1000 passengers. A special train carrying 200 stranded passengers is now headed from Balasore to Howrah.
"Water, tea and food packets are being provided to passengers at Kharagpur station. Food packets will also be provided in Howrah after the arrival of the train," South Eastern Railway said.
Several coaches of the 12864 Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, on the way to Howrah, derailed and fell on adjacent tracks. The 12841 Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express coming from the opposite direction on the parallel track rammed into the derailed coaches.
Some 12 Coromandel Express coaches derail and hit the stationary goods train on the third track.
According to Railway spokesperson Amitabh Sharma, the accident took place around 7 pm on Friday.
Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reached the spot and supervised the rescue operation.
"A detailed high-level inquiry will be conducted and the rail safety commissioner will also do an independent inquiry," Mr Vaishnaw said today.
He added, "Our focus is on rescue and relief operations.
Restoration will begin after clearance from the district administration".
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
Video: Air Force's MiG-29 Stalls In Flat Spin Seconds Before It Crashed IAF Jawan Faints During Anniversary Event, Days After Chennai Air Show Deaths IAF Chopper Air-Dropping Relief Material Makes Forced Landing In Bihar AAP's 7 'Revdis' Ahead Of Delhi Polls: Electricity, Education, Water Amazon Employee Greets Friend At Wedding, Dies Of Cardiac Arrest "World War 3 Has Begun": Ukraine Ex-Military Commander Amid Russia Conflict Has There Been An Undercount Of Punjab Farm Fires? What Satellite Pics Show Speed, Range, Threat: All About Russia's Oreshnik Missile Fired On Ukraine Bodies Of Infant, 5 Hostages Of Same Family Killed In Manipur Brought Home Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.