Local officials report that at least 50 people were slain and hundreds were injured in a multiple train collision in the eastern Indian state of Odisha.

Pradeep Jena, the state’s chief secretary, stated that dozens of ambulances were sent to the Balasore district scene.

It is believed that one passenger train derailed before colliding with another on the adjacent track.

According to Indian Railways, the affected trains were the Coromandel Express and the Howrah Superfast Express.

“Around fifty persons have died and over five hundred have been injured. Mr. Jena told the AFP news agency that rescuing (the passengers) and providing medical aid to the injured are the current top priorities.

Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi stated that he was distressed by the incident that occurred on Friday evening and that his thoughts were with the bereaved families.

Rescue operations are underway at the accident site, and all possible aid is being provided to those afflicted, he tweeted.

Home Minister Amit Shah described the incident as “extremely distressing.”

Several carriages of the Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express are believed to have derailed at approximately 19:00 local time (13:30 GMT), with several carriages landing on the opposite track.

The Howrah Superfast Express traveling from Yesvantpur to Howrah is then believed to have collided with the derailed carriages.

Some surviving passengers were seen rushing into the wreckage to assist in the rescue of those who were confined.

Nighttime rescue efforts were scheduled to continue.

According to the Associated Press news agency, rail accidents in India occur several hundred times per year.