'Saddened to hear' - Virat Kohli expresses condolences over horrific train accident in Odisha

Virat Kohli, Odisha train crash (Source: Twitter)

Former Indian captain Virat Kohli has expressed his condolences over the tragic train accident in Odisha that claimed more than 250 lives. The heartbreaking incident which occurred on the evening of Friday, June 2, has left the nation in mourning and is considered one of the worst train accidents in the last 15 years.

Over 900 people are injured and hospitalised in the train crash, involving the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express and a goods train, officials said on Saturday. The incident occurred near Bahanaga railway station in Odisha's Balasore district when the passenger train Coromandel Shalimar Express got derailed, colliding with a goods train, and the Yesvantpur-Howrah Superfast crashed into the derailed coaches.

Kohli, who is currently with Team India in England preparing for the Test Championship final, took to social media to offer his condolences to the bereaved family members and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.

"Saddened to hear about the tragic train accident in Odisha. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families who lost their loved ones and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured," the 34-year-old wrote on his Twitter account on Saturday morning.

Saddened to hear about the tragic train accident in Odisha. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families who lost their loved ones and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) June 3, 2023

Gautam Gambhir and Harbhajan Singh also express grief

Former Indian cricketers Gautam Gambhir and Harbhajan Singh also expressed grief over the horrific incident.

"Devastated by the loss of lives in Odisha. May god give strength to the families of the victims. Wishing a speedy recovery to those injured. The nation stands with you,” Gambhir wrote.

Pained to know about a railway accident in Odisha involving the Coromandel express and another passenger train. Thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their near and dear ones. Appeal @RailMinIndia & Govt. of Odisha to rescue the passengers at the earliest," Harbhajan tweeted.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the accident site and meet with injured people at hospitals in Cuttack. A railway spokesperson said that the rescue operation has been completed and now the focus is on restoration work. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that a high-level committee will be appointed to investigate the incident.

The Minister announced that the families of those who died in the accident will be given compensation of Rs 10 lakh, Rs 2 lakh for those seriously injured and Rs 50,000 for those with minor injuries. PM Modi also announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the family of the dead and Rs 50,000 for the injured from the PM's National Relief Fund (PMNRF).