Odisha train crash live: 'Balasore Collector confirms death toll as 288'
The train crash happened near the Bahanaga Baazar station in Balasore district, about 250 km south of Kolkata and 170 km north of Bhubaneswar, around 7 pm on Friday, prompting the Railway Ministry to order a probe.
CHENNAI: In one of the worst railway disasters in India, at least 288 people were killed and more than 1,100 injured when three trains collided one after another in a horrific sequence in Odisha's Balasore district, setting off a massive rescue and evacuation process, officials said on Saturday.
The train crash happened near the Bahanaga Baazar station in Balasore district, about 250 km south of Kolkata and 170 km north of Bhubaneswar, around 7 pm on Friday, prompting the Railway Ministry to order a probe.
The inquiry into the train accident will be led by A M Chowdhary, Commissioner of Railway Safety, South East Circle, the Indian Railways said in a statement.
Several coaches of the 12864 Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, on the way to Howrah, derailed and fell on adjacent tracks, an official said.
"These derailed coaches collided with the 12841 Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express and its coaches capsized too," he said.
A goods train was also involved in the accident as some of the coaches of the Coromandel Express, which was heading to Chennai, hit its wagons after getting derailed, he added.
Locals said they heard consecutive loud sounds, following which they rushed to the spot and found the derailed coaches, which were nothing but "a mangled heap of steel".
More than 2,000 people gathered at the Balasore Medical College and Hospital in the night to help the injured, and many also donated blood.
The railways announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased, Rs 2 lakh for those grievously injured and Rs 50,000 for those who got minor injuries.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi too expressed his distress over the accident, and announced an additional ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured from the PM's National Relief Fund (PMNRF).
Live Updates
- 4 Jun 2023 9:43 AM IST
#WATCH | Odisha: Restoration work underway at the site where the horrific #BalasoreTrainAccident took place, killing 288 people and injuring 747 pic.twitter.com/Gxqyr2FKoh
— ANI (@ANI) June 4, 2023 - 4 Jun 2023 9:42 AM IST
#WATCH | Odisha: Outside visuals from Fakir Mohan Medical College & Hospital in Balasore
— ANI (@ANI) June 4, 2023
Some of the passengers injured in the #TrainMishap have been admitted here pic.twitter.com/ScUmrVCxS6 - 4 Jun 2023 9:42 AM IST
"Capsized bogies have been removed...2 bogies of goods train also have been removed...work of connecting track is going on from one side...will finish the work as soon as possible", says Aditya Kumar Chaudhary, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO), South Eastern Railway, on the restoration work underway at the site of Balasore train accident.
#WATCH | Odisha: "Capsized bogies have been removed...2 bogies of goods train also have been removed...work of connecting track is going on from one side...will finish the work as soon as possible": Aditya Kumar Chaudhary, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO), South Eastern… pic.twitter.com/FsS9TqLTet
— ANI (@ANI) June 4, 2023 - 4 Jun 2023 9:38 AM IST
"All the passengers arrived are safe, 7 have minor injuries, and 2 have been sent to a hospital for taking X-ray. We are continuously monitoring rescue ops and CM Stalin is also monitoring everything via control rooms," says Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian.
Chennai: All the passengers arrived are safe, 7 have minor injuries, and 2 have been sent to a hospital for taking X-ray. We are continuously monitoring rescue ops and CM Stalin is also monitoring everything via control rooms: Ma. Subramanian, Tamil Nadu Health Minister pic.twitter.com/yK6lXX4vMo
— ANI (@ANI) June 4, 2023 - 4 Jun 2023 9:36 AM IST
"Our prayers go to those who have lost loved ones": US President condoles loss of lives in Odisha train derailment.
4 Jun 2023 7:04 AM ISTSpl train carrying stranded passengers arrives at Chennai
The special train C P13671 EX-BBS-MAS carrying 250 passengers from Bhadrak has reached Chennai at around 5 am on Sunday.
- 3 Jun 2023 11:05 PM IST
Restoration work is ongoing at the train accident site in Balasore, Odisha with 1000+ Manpower working tirelessly. At present, more than 7 Poclain Machines, 2 Accident Relief Trains, 3-4 Railway, and Road Cranes have been deployed for early restoration. Officials are closely monitoring the restoration process at the accident site: Ministry of Railways
- 3 Jun 2023 11:03 PM IST
"Deeply moved by the condolence messages from world leaders on the train mishap in Odisha. Their kind words will give strength to the bereaved families. Gratitude for their support. I commend each and every person belonging to the teams of railways, NDRF, ODRAF, local authorities, police, fire service, volunteers, and others who are working tirelessly on the ground and strengthening the rescue ops. Proud of their dedication. The courage and compassion shown by the people of our nation in the face of adversity is truly inspiring. As soon as the train mishap took place in Odisha, people immersed themselves in assisting rescue ops. Several people lined up to donate blood.", tweets PM Modi.
- 3 Jun 2023 11:01 PM IST
"We have received a total of 193 patients, out of which, we have discharged 9 patients. For now, 7 patients are critical. The government has declared everything free of cost, from investigation to treatment," says Dr. Bhubana Nanda Moharana, Emergency Medical Officer of SCB Medical College.
