Tragic train collision in India leaves at least fifteen casualties
In the bustling landscape of India, a tragic event unfolded as a train crash claimed the lives of at least 15 individuals. Reports poured in from local media, such as the PTI news agency, stating that these fatalities occurred after a goods train smashed into a passenger train in West Bengal. The impact sent numerous passenger carriages careering off their tracks.
With a population nearing 1.4 billion and a vast railway network that ranks among the largest on Earth, accidents like this are regrettably common in India. Many of these locomotives are aging, and certain tracks necessitate regular maintenance. The most catastrophic incident occurred way back in 1981, when over 800 individuals lost their lives. In a bid to boost safety and efficiency, the Indian government has been pouring resources into modernizing its rail system, including the development of high-speed trains.
Upon learning of the calamity, the office of Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that bereaved families would receive a compensation package of 200,000 Rupees (approximately 2,200 Euros), while injured victims would be entitled to 50,000 Rupees (approximately 550 Euros). Such post-incident compensation is customary in India.
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Despite the ongoing investigation, initial reports suggest that the dead included several passengers on the trolley cars attached to the passenger train. The crash site was located in the industrial area near Kolkata, a major city in West Bengal, India. The trolley cars, designed for urban transport, were a common addition to many Indian trains, offering an affordable and convenient mode of transportation for many commuters.
