At least 238 people were killed and more than 900 injured in a horrific crash involving three trains, including two passenger express trains, in the Indian state of Odisha on Friday night, Indian media reported.

The Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express passenger train, on its way to Howrah from Bengaluru (Bangalore), had derailed at approximately 7:20 p.m. near Bahanaga Bazar station, with some of its carriages ending up on the opposite track. The oncoming Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express passenger train bound for Chennai from Kolkata slammed into these carriages with some coaches flying into the air and ending up as heaps of twisted metal. Some of the carriages of the Coromandel Express had also hit a goods train.

Rescue workers toiled through the night amid the wreckage in the darkness to find survivors and more than 130 ambulances and a number of buses ferried the injured to hospitals. The government rushed hundreds of rescue workers and 120 doctors to the area. The Indian Air Force deployed helicopters to ferry the injured and dead to hospitals. The two passenger trains were carrying over 2,000 passengers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted his grief over the loss of lives: “Distressed by the train accident in Odisha. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon. Spoke to Railway Minister and took stock of the situation. Rescue ops are underway at the site of the mishap and all possible assistance is being given to those affected”.

Indian President Droupadi Murmu tweeted: “Deeply anguished to know about the loss of lives in an unfortunate rail accident in Balasore, Odisha. My heart goes out to the bereaved families. I pray for the success of rescue operations and quick recovery of the injured”.

"Anguished by the tragic news of the accident involving the Coromandel Express, in Balasore, Odisha. My heart goes out to the bereaved families. Wishing for the speedy recovery of those injured. I urge Congress workers & leaders to extend all support needed for rescue efforts," tweeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.