Miraculous Survival: Man Presumed Dead in Odisha Train Accident Found Alive, Seeks Help

International

oi-Madhuri Adnal

In the aftermath of the devastating train accident in Odisha, which claimed the lives of over 280 individuals, a remarkable tale of survival and hope has emerged.

Amidst the grim scene of bodies, a 35-year-old man woke up from unconsciousness and sought assistance, defying all odds. Robin Naiya, presumed dead after being found lying on the tracks following the collision of three trains near Balasore in Odisha, managed to make his presence known amidst the chaos.

Rescue workers had gathered hundreds of bodies in a room within a Balasore school when they ventured in to relocate the piles of deceased. To their astonishment, one of the workers felt a grip on his leg and heard a voice pleading for water, declaring, “I am alive, not dead, please give me water.”

Spotting Naiya struggling to move, the workers swiftly rushed him to a nearby hospital for immediate medical attention. Unfortunately, Naiya, a resident of Charnekhali village in North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, had suffered the loss of both his legs in the tragic accident. He was part of a group of eight individuals from his village who had embarked on a journey to Andhra Pradesh in search of employment, boarding the Coromandel Express from Howrah.

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Presently in critical condition, Naiya is undergoing treatment at the Orthopedic Ward of Medinipur Medical College Hospital in West Bengal. His uncle, Manabendra Sardar, recounted the harrowing experience, stating, “Robin, my nephew, was travelling to Andhra to work as a migrant laborer. As the train met with an accident, he lost consciousness. He found himself amid a pile of bodies. He held one of the rescuer’s legs asking for water, then he was discovered. Robin then asked for water and pleaded with him to save his life. The rescuers then moved him to the local hospital.”

Tragically, six of Naiya’s friends from the same village are still missing after the incident, adding to the overall anguish and uncertainty surrounding the aftermath of the accident.

The train collision near the Bahanaga Bazar station in Balasore involved the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, and a freight train. The impact resulted in the derailment and damage of 21 coaches, trapping numerous passengers in the wreckage.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) promptly deployed nine teams for rescue operations at the crash site, retrieving 121 bodies and saving 44 victims. With over 1,000 reported injuries, the tragic incident has left a deep impact on the affected communities and the nation as a whole.