BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE Government has extended condolences to the Government and people of India following Friday night's (June 2) deadly train derailment in Orisha, India, which is being described as the most tragic accident in recent times.
Investigations are currently underway to determine the exact cause of the accident that left at least 260 people dead and more than 1,000 injured, with 400-plus hospitalized.
In a statement on Saturday (Jun. 3), Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew said: “I am deeply heartbroken by the news of the horrific train crash that took place in Orisha, India on Friday. I extend my deepest condolences to the Government and People of India, particularly those who lost their loved ones. I am also keeping the injured and their families and friends in my thoughts and prayers.”
Premier Mark Brantley also extended condolences to the Government and people of India. “
“Deepest condolences to the government and people of #India and those families who lost loved ones in the #Odisha train collision. Our prayers are with you,” Brantley wrote on his social media page.
Reports indicate that it might have been a signal issue that forced one of the trains to cross tracks into the path of another.
Officials in India explained that carriages belonging to the Coromandel Express were travelling to Chennai when it derailed after hitting a stationary train.
That was then followed by an oncoming train slamming into the derailed carriages, causing another derailment.