New Delhi, June 3 (UNI) Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and CPP Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Saturday expressed deep grief over the loss of lives due to a train accident in Odisha's Balasore district.
"At this moment of grave national tragedy on account of the terrible train disaster in Odisha, I have instructed the entire Congress party organisation to extend all possible and needed help," Kharge said in a statement.
The Congress chief said, "A number of Congress leaders from different states have either already reached or will soon be reaching Balasore. I once again extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families."
"We have many questions to ask of the Prime Minister and the Railway Minister but those can wait since the immediate task is of rescue and relief," he added.
The CPP Chairperson in a statement said, "I am most pained and anguished by the terrible train disaster in Odisha. I extend my deepest sympathy and condolences to all the bereaved families."
Earlier, Congress general secretary in-charge Organisation, KC in a tweet wrote, "Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has deputed Lok Sabha leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and Odisha's state unit in-charge AC Kumar to immediately visit the train crash site to take stock of the situation and oversee relief efforts being undertaken by party workers and frontal organisations."
The death count in the tragic incident has shot up to 261 in the accident, which involved three trains— Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel express, Yeshawantpur -Howrah express and a goods train.
UNI DS GNK