Last Friday, we witnessed one of the deadliest train accidents in Odisha. Two superfast trains and a goods train collided at Bahanga Bazar Station near Balasore. The unfortunate accident claimed over 250 lives and left more than 1000 people injured. (Source: The Hindu). The police and national disaster teams have been carrying out rescue and relief operations.
However, nothing much would have been attained without the support of the locals who reside in the nearby areas of the accident spot. They helped the authorities in their search and rescue operation at the site of the accident. In fact, a recent video of the local people’s heartwarming gesture to be there in times of need went viral on the Internet and received appreciation from all quarters. The video shared by a Twitter user Rajat Tripathy shows blood donors from nearby towns and villages, young and old, standing in a really long queue outside in Baleshwar in a hospital as late as 11 PM.
It’s 1.30 A.M , People are waiting for donating blood 🙏#balasore #odisha#trainaccident pic.twitter.com/sBFRbksGUi
— रजत् त्रिपाठी (@RajatTripathy04) June 2, 2023
Local people gathered in Baleshwar hospital to donate blood for needy ones . This photo is a ray of hope at a time when the sky is covered with cloud . We not only utter THE WORLD IS ONE FAMILY but also follow it .#TrainAccident pic.twitter.com/pDco2D59u9
— Subham. (@subhsays) June 2, 2023
They gathered in huge numbers at the hospital where victims were being treated and were waiting for their turn to donate blood. The video was shared a mere few hours after the horrific accident.
News Agency ANI shared another video from the District Headquarters Hospital, Bhadrak showing people donating blood for the victims of the train accident.
#WATCH | Train accident in Odisha’s Balasore | Blood donors gather at District Headquarters Hospital, Bhadrak to donate blood for the people injured in the train accident pic.twitter.com/yJz7Se986t
— ANI (@ANI) June 2, 2023
Seeing local people voluntarily donate blood for victims of the train tragedy has won people’s hearts. And netizens can’t thank them enough for their act of courage and humanity in their time of need.
Odisha CM Navneet Patnaik also appreciated the efforts of the citizens in a video message.
View this post on Instagram
As per official records, over 3000 people donated more than 3000 units of blood in Balasore, Bhadrak, and Cuttack in hospitals where the victims were being treated. As per reports, there is no shortage of blood for the accident victims, and the doctors have lauded the enthusiasm of the local blood donors.
These acts of selflessness and goodwill give us hope for a better tomorrow. And that humanity exists, persists, and triumphs over everything else.