'May god provide strength to the grieving families' - Cricketers offer prayers following tragic train accident in Odisha

India witnessed one of the most horrific train accidents in the country's history after a disastrous triple train crash in Balasore, Odisha, killed more than 250 citizens and injured over 900 people. Prayers poured in from the cricketing fraternity for the families who lost their loved ones in the tragic accident.

The terrifying accident reportedly took place on Friday evening when Chennai-bound Coromandel Shalimar Express derailed and hit a goods train. The Yesvantpur-Howrah Superfast then crashed into the derailed coaches of the other two trains at a high speed when many passengers were sleeping.

According to several eyewitnesses, there were corpses lying around as various coaches were completely disintegrated in a spine-chilling train collision. While the Indian Railways has ordered a probe into the matter, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the train accident site in Odisha's Balasore on Saturday. 

The Railway ministry has announced a compensation of ₹ 10 lakh for the families mourning the loss of their loved ones, and ₹ 2 lakh for those seriously injured. The Indian Prime Minister has also announced a compensation of ₹ 2 lakh for the family of the dead and ₹ 50,000 for the injured from the PM's National Relief Fund (PMNRF).

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma among several Indian cricketers to offer prayers for the victims 

Following the shocking turn of events, several prominent figures from the cricketing fraternity offered their condolences to families affected by the tragic accident. Former Indian spinner and 2011 World Cup winner Harbhajan Singh was one of the first to react to the shocking news, urging the officials to rescue the injured passengers swiftly, followed by his close friend and iconic all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, who offered his prayers.

While several members of the Indian Test team, who are currently in England for the WTC Final against Australia, sent their prayers, former Pakistani pacer Shoaib Akhtar and former Sri Lankan opener Sanath Jayasuriya also reacted to the tragic news. 

Harbhajan Turbanator@harbhajan_singh

Pained to know about railway accident in Odisha involving Coromandel express and another passenger train. Thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their near and dear ones. Appeal @RailMinIndia & Govt. of Odisha to rescue the passengers at the earliest.

09:32 PM · Jun 02, 2023

1.2K63

Yuvraj Singh@YUVSTRONG12

I offer my deepest condolences to the families of all those who lost their life in the #Odisha train mishap 🙏🏻 my prayers for the quick recovery of the injured #CoromandelExpress

10:10 PM · Jun 02, 2023

9.6K560

MANOJ TIWARY@tiwarymanoj

Terribly shocked to hear about the train accident near Bahanaga railway station in Balasore, Odisha. Kindly check the emergency control room numbers on the tweet! Kindly share it 🙏 My prayers & condolences to the concerned families. Om Shanti 🙏 #TrainAccident

11:09 PM · Jun 02, 2023

16631

Shikhar Dhawan@SDhawan25

My deepest condolences to the families affected by the tragic train accident in Odisha. My prayers are with the bereaved families and wishing speedy recovery to the injured. twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

12:23 AM · Jun 03, 2023

4.6K187

Pragyan Ojha@pragyanojha

Deeply saddened by the tragic train incident in Odisha. At this sorrowful time, my heartfelt sympathies go out to the grieving families. Wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. #Prayers 🙏🏼

01:31 AM · Jun 03, 2023

1285

Virender Sehwag@virendersehwag

Extremely sad hearing about this tragic train accident involving Coromandel Express in Odisha. Condolences to all families who have lost their loved ones and prayers for quick recovery of those injured. twitter.com/ani/status/166…

ANI@ANI

Death toll rises to 233 in the horrific train accident in Odisha's Balasore: Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena

06:36 AM · Jun 03, 2023

4.4K236

VVS Laxman@VVSLaxman281

Extremely disheartening to learn about this very unfortunate accident in Odisha. I pray for speedy recovery of the injured and offer my sincere condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. twitter.com/ani/status/166…

ANI@ANI

#WATCH | Morning visuals from the spot where the horrific train accident took place in Odisha's Balasore district, killing 207 people and injuring 900

07:00 AM · Jun 03, 2023

3K150

Aakash Chopra@cricketaakash

Heart goes out to the affected people and their families. 🙏 Om Shanti

10:06 AM · Jun 03, 2023

18.6K889

Mayank Agarwal@mayankcricket

My heart goes out to all the victims and their families affected by the tragic #TrainAccident in Balasore. Sending my deepest condolences and prayers during this difficult time 🙏

10:28 AM · Jun 03, 2023

3.1K125

Virat Kohli@imVkohli

Saddened to hear about the tragic train accident in Odisha. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families who lost their loved ones and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.

10:42 AM · Jun 03, 2023

124.9K13.4K

Unmukt Chand@UnmuktChand9

Deeply saddened by the tragic train accident at Balasore. Condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and prayers to those who are injured.

10:57 AM · Jun 03, 2023

1399

Gautam Gambhir@GautamGambhir

Devastated by the loss of lives in Odisha. May god give strength to the families of victims. Wishing speedy recovery to those injured. Nation stands with you.

11:02 AM · Jun 03, 2023

10.4K618

Shreyas Iyer@ShreyasIyer15

Shocking visuals from Odisha. Praying for those affected by the tragic train accident 🙏

11:31 AM · Jun 03, 2023

8.5K456

Wasim Jaffer@WasimJaffer14

Deeply saddened to learn about the devastating train accident in Odisha. My thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their dear ones, and I hope the injured make a full recovery. #OdishaTrainTragedy

11:34 AM · Jun 03, 2023

3.8K119

Venkatesh Prasad@venkateshprasad

Very pained and anguished by the tragic train accident in Odisha. Passenger safety must be prioritised. My heart goes out to the families who have lost their loved ones and prayers for smooth recovery of the injured.

11:36 AM · Jun 03, 2023

1.2K50

Irfan Pathan@IrfanPathan

Heart wrenching news coming from Odisha. My thoughts and prayers for the families who lost their lives in this horrific train accident. #OdishaTrainTragedy

11:37 AM · Jun 03, 2023

6.3K263

DK@DineshKarthik

Praying for speedy recovery of the injured. My thoughts and prayers with everyone affected by this tragic incident. 🙏

11:38 AM · Jun 03, 2023

6K223

Yusuf Pathan@iamyusufpathan

Heartbroken by the devastating Odisha train accident. Sending prayers and condolences to the families of the victims, and wishing a swift recovery to the injured. #OdishaTrain 🙏

11:42 AM · Jun 03, 2023

3.2K156

Mithali Raj@M_Raj03

The visuals from the Balasore train accident are truly heart-wrenching. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families involved in this tragic accident. 🙏

12:08 PM · Jun 03, 2023

2.9K164

Smriti Mandhana@mandhana_smriti

My thoughts are with the victims and their families of the train accident. Sending my deepest condolences and keeping them in my prayers.

12:24 PM · Jun 03, 2023

5.1K255

Robin Aiyuda Uthappa@robbieuthappa

My heart goes out to all the families affected by the Odisha train accident. Praying for all the victims and families affected 🙏🏾🙏🏾

12:45 PM · Jun 03, 2023

3K136

Anil Kumble@anilkumble1074

Anguished by the tragic train accident in Odisha. Thoughts and prayers with all those affected 🙏

12:47 PM · Jun 03, 2023

3.2K138

Sanath Jayasuriya@Sanath07

My heart goes out to the families of the terrible train tragedy in India. I pray that all have the courage to stay strong during this dark hour.

01:07 PM · Jun 03, 2023

48944

Ajinkya Rahane@ajinkyarahane88

Sad to hear about the train accident in Odisha. Praying for strength and peace to all the affected 🙏

01:12 PM · Jun 03, 2023

10.7K681

Suresh Raina🇮🇳@ImRaina

Deeply saddened by the tragic train accident in Odisha. My heart goes out to the victims and their families, who are enduring unimaginable pain and loss. Sending heartfelt thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. May the injured find strength and recover swiftly 🙏

01:38 PM · Jun 03, 2023

9.1K641

Rohit Sharma@ImRo45

My heart goes out to each and everyone affected by the train accident in Odisha. May God give strength to the grieving families & wishing a swift recovery to those injured.

02:46 PM · Jun 03, 2023

38.7K4.9K

Shoaib Akhtar@shoaib100mph

Heard about the extremely devastating Odisha train accident in India. I wish speedy recovery for the injured and my condolences to families who have lost their loved ones. #OdishaTrainAccident

03:19 PM · Jun 03, 2023

2.3K124

Umesh Yaadav@y_umesh

A tragic incident in Odisha. My heartfelt condolences to the familes who lost their loved ones. Om Shanti. 🙏🏼

03:23 PM · Jun 03, 2023

2K87

Surya Kumar Yadav@surya_14kumar

Deeply shocked, and praying for the victims of tragic train accident in Odisha.

03:48 PM · Jun 03, 2023

12K838