Dozens feared dead in India after passenger, freight trains collide

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At least 50 people have been killed in India Friday after a passenger train reportedly collided with a freight train in the eastern part of the country. 

The Hindustan Times is reporting that the collision involved the Coromandel Express in Odisha, in which four of its cars derailed. Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde, the top administrator in the Balasore district, said at least 50 people were dead, according to The Associated Press, which also cited officials as saying there are around 400 injured.

"Distressed by the train accident in Odisha. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families," India Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on Twitter.  

"May the injured recover soon. Spoke to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and took stock of the situation," he added. "Rescue ops are underway at the site of the mishap and all possible assistance is being given to those affected." 

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People try to escape from derailed train cars following a collision in Balasore, India, on June 2. (ANI/Reuters TV)

"Deeply anguished to know about the loss of lives in an unfortunate rail accident in Balasore, Odisha," the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, wrote on Twitter. "My heart goes out to the bereaved families. I pray for the success of rescue operations and quick recovery of the injured."

Rescuers were attempting to free another 200 people feared trapped in the derailed coaches, said D.B. Shinde, the Balasore district administrator in Odisha state. The cause of the derailment was being investigated. 

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South Eastern Railway officials who spoke on condition on anonymity said they fear heavy casualties, Reuters reported.

The train was traveling from Howrah in West Bengal state to Chennai, the capital of southern Tamil Nadu state, during the time of the crash. (ANI/Reuters TV)

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Amitabh Sharma, a railroad ministry spokesperson, said some mangled pieces of the derailed train fell onto a nearby track and were hit by another passenger train coming from the opposite direction.  

Four of the train's cars reportedly derailed following the collision. (ANI/Reuters TV )

The train reportedly was traveling from Howrah in West Bengal state to Chennai, the capital of southern Tamil Nadu state. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.