The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Friday launched a massive rescue operation after a Mumbai-bound passenger train derailed in West Bengal’s East Midnapore district, killing 20 people and injuring over 100.
Two air force helicopters were pressed into service and a medical team rushed in to carry out rescue operation for the hundreds of people believed to be trapped in the damaged and tilted coaches of the Howrah-Kurla Gyaneshwari Super Deluxe Express.
One Chetak and one Mi-17 helicopter has been sent to help in the rescue effort at the site, Wing Commander Mahesh Upasni, an IAF spokesperson told IANS.
He said seven doctors and three paramedics were also sent to give first aid to the injured.
Forty-five people were rushed to the Kalaikunda airbase hospital, about 25 km from the accident site. Some of the wounded were also shifted to IIT Kharagpur hospital and other government medical facilities, he said.
