Triple train collision at Bahanaga Bazar: Disaster response and management: An observational study

Train collision accidents are tragic events associated with high mortality. The study aimed to comprehensively describe the clinical-epidemiological profile, disaster emergency response, and management following a train collision accident in Odisha, India.

This observational study was conducted by a tertiary care hospital in eastern India. Data were collected from the hospital records, telephonically from the victims or their relatives, and from electronic and print media. Subjects with complete data were included. Those who had died on the spot or upon arrival to the emergency department (ED) and with incomplete or unavailable data were excluded. Statistical analysis of data was performed using R 4.1.0 software.

After triaging, 198 subjects were included and analyzed. Most of the subjects were young (29 [34-40] years), belonging to male 182 (92%) gender. At ED triage, 41 (21%) subjects were categorized as red, 103 (52%) as yellow, 54 (27%) as green, and two subjects as black. Regarding the mode of transport to the ED, 57 (29%), 17 (9%), and 124 (63%) subjects were transported by ambulances, police vans, and private vehicles, respectively. Among the included subjects, 96 (48%), 65 (33%), and 49 (25%) had head injuries, maxillofacial injuries, and blunt chest trauma, respectively, and the majority (n = 185 [93.4%]) had associated external injuries.

A coordinated effort by various government, nongovernment agencies, and local communities played an important role in the aftermath of the disaster to save lives. A well-trained medical emergency disaster response team involving multiple stakeholders can help mitigate such tragic incidents.