Odisha train crash live: 'Balasore Collector confirms death toll as 288'

Bhadrak, Odisha | A special train has started its journey from Bhadrak to Bhubaneswar carrying the distressed passengers of the Odisha train accident. The train is only for distressed passengers...From Bhubaneswar the passengers will have to change the train: Station Manager… pic.twitter.com/Cpl8bzuwYa

— ANI (@ANI) June 4, 2023

"The rescue operation is more or less complete. A total of 9 teams comprising around 300 rescuers are at the location right now," says DG NDRF Atul Karwal.

 “The accident took place as the ‘Kavach’ system wasn’t in place. The complete fault lies with the BJP government,” says Samajwadi Party leader Swami Prasad Maurya.

“On Feb 9, a senior Railway official wrote in a report that there is need to maintain the inter-locking system of signals but the government didn't take cognisance of the report,” claims Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil.

Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy directed the officials to pay ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakhs each to the kin of the deceased, Rs 5 lakhs each to those seriously injured and Rs 1 lakh each to those who sustained minor injuries, in addition to the financial help extended by the Centre: CMO

"Safety is the top priority for Railways. We are making sure that the evidence does not get tampered with and that any witness does not get affected. The driver of the train who sustained serious injuries said that the train moved forward only after it received a 'Green' signal. Neither did he jump any signal nor the train was overspeeding:," ssys Jaya Varma Sinha.

Death toll in the Odisha train tragedy revised to 275 after factoring out some 'double countings'.

"It's a big accident. This has happened due to negligence. Railways claim that safety is their priority but even after such a major accident, responsibility has not been fixed yet. Action should be taken against those responsible," says Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav.

#WATCH | Odisha: Latest aerial visuals from #BalasoreTrainAccident site where restoration work is underway pic.twitter.com/9WPXhZ8SWi

— ANI (@ANI) June 4, 2023

"Not NIA, Ministry of Home Affairs is assisting us," says Jaya Varma Sinha.