(ODISHA, India) — At least 200 people have been killed and hundreds more injured in a train accident in India, as the death toll continues to rise, officials said.
The crash occurred Friday night in Odisha, a state in eastern India, and involved three trains, according to Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena. Several cars of a passenger train derailed in the incident, he said.
“Death toll in the train accident increasing,” Jena said on social media, saying Sunday that the official death toll is 275 people.
Approximately 900 people were injured in the accident, per reporting from the Special Relief Organization, which deals with disaster management in the state.
More than 200 ambulances have responded to the scene of the “violent train accident,” Jena tweeted.
Rescue teams have been mobilized from various parts of the country, according to Ashwini Vaishnaw, India’s minister for Railways, Communications, Electronics and Information Technology.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “distressed” by the accident.
“In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families,” Modi tweeted. “May the injured recover soon.”
President Joe Biden said he and first lady Jill Biden were heartbroken and offered prayers for those who lost loved ones or were injured by the train crash in a statement Saturday.
“The United States and India share deep bonds rooted in the ties of family and culture that unite our two nations—and people all across America mourn alongside the people of India. As the recovery effort continues, we will hold the people of India in our thoughts,” the statement read.
Saturday was declared a day of mourning in Odisha due to the rail accident, which occurred near Bahanaga.
Ex-gratia payments will be offered to “victims of this unfortunate train accident in Odisha,” Vaishnaw tweeted.
Families who suffered a death will receive 10 lakhs — equivalent to about 12,000 USD — while those who suffered “grievous” injuries will receive two lakhs — about 2,400 USD — according to Vaishnaw.
People with minor injuries will receive 50,000 rupees — about 600 USD — Vaishnaw said.
ABC News’ Ellie Kaufman contributed to this report.
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