Bollywood actors have taken to social media to express their condolences after the tragic train accident in Odisha that left over 280 people dead and hundreds injured.
Salman Khan expressed his anguish on Twitter. He wrote, “Really saddened to hear abt the accident, May God rest the souls of the deceased in peace, Protect n give strength to the families n the injured from this unfortunate accident.”
Madhuri Dixit Nene said that she was “praying for the speedy recovery of the people injured.”
Akshay Kumar mentioned that the visuals from the tragic train accident left him heartbroken.
“Heartbreaking to see the visuals from the tragic train accident in Odisha.Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.My thoughts and condolences to the families of the affected during this difficult time. Om Shanti,” he wrote.
Actor Shilpa Shetty also reacted to the accident.
“Gutted about the loss of so many lives in the train accident in Odisha. Praying for the souls of the deceased and their families,” she wrote on an Instagram Story.
As per the latest estimates by the South Eastern Railway, the death toll in the train accident involving two express trains — Bengaluru-Howrah Express and Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express — and a goods train in Balasore has risen to 288.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 200,000 each to the kin of the deceased.
According to a statement by the Prime Minister’s Office, the ex-gratia amount will be allotted from Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the next of kin of the dead.
Several coaches of the 12864 Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, on the way to Howrah, derailed and fell on an adjacent track. The 12841 Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express coming from the opposite direction on a parallel track rammed into the derailed coaches. Some Coromandel Express coaches derailed and hit the stationary goods train on the third track.
According to Railway spokesperson Amitabh Sharma, the accident took place around 7pm on Friday.
Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reached the spot and supervised the rescue operation. He has ordered a detailed high-level inquiry on the incident.The rail safety commissioner will also conduct an independent inquiry, Vaishnaw said on Saturday.”Our focus is on rescue and relief operations. Restoration will begin after clearance from the district administration,” the union railway minister said.
