Despite rail safety in India actually improving in recent years, a serious train accident accident occurred when three trains collided near Balasore, India, on June 4. The death toll from the crash has reportedly reached 300 or more, with hundreds more injured. Indian officials say that an electronic signaling error may have been the cause of the accident. It is said to be one of the deadliest transportation disasters in the country’s history.
India’s railways are the largest train network in the world under one management. Indian Prime Minister Nahrendra Modi flew to the crash site and examined the recovery effort and talked to rescue officials, according to reports.
Ashwini Vaishnaw, India’s railway minister, said there would be an investigation, while some railway officials recommended a criminal probe be conducted.