A heated debate broke out between West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Railway Minister Ashiwini Vaishnaw regarding the number of casualties that occurred in the recent train accident in Bahanaga, Odisha. Banerjee claimed that the death toll could be as high as 500, whereas Vaishnaw insisted that it was 238. The South Eastern Railway issued a statement saying that the toll was at 261.
Banerjee also criticized the lack of an anti-collision system in the train, which would have prevented such accidents. She also pointed out that 60% of the passengers on the train were from West Bengal. Rescue operations have ended, and the injured are receiving treatment in hospitals across Balasore, Bhadrak, and Cuttack.
Banerjee stated that bodies are still trapped in three coaches of the train, and she plans to visit the injured patients. Ambulances, buses, and doctors have been provided for the benefit of injured persons.
