India: Over 280 Dead, Hundreds Injured In Massive Train Crash

A major rescue operation was underway on Saturday after multiple trains derailed in eastern India’s Odisha state.

Over 280 people were killed and over 800 injured in the accident, which took place late on Friday, officials said.

The death toll rose steadily throughout the night.

As dawn approached on Saturday, the chief secretary of Odisha, Pradeep Jena, said that at least 233 people were dead. Fire department officials later said at least 288 bodies have been recovered so far.

“By 10 pm (on Friday) we were able to rescue the survivors. After that it was about picking up dead bodies,” Sudhanshu Sarangi, director of Odisha’s fire department, told The Associated Press.

“This is very, very tragic. I have never seen anything like this in my career,” he said.

Sarangi said that rescuers were still cutting through the wrecked rail cars to find people who may still be alive and trapped.