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
3 Jun 2023 6:40 PM ISTRestoration work is underway at the Balasore train accident site as wreckage and mangled coaches of derailed trains are being moved away from the track. The death toll in the incident stands at 288 with 747 people injured along with 56 grievously injured so far.
- 3 Jun 2023 6:38 PM IST
The Ministry of Civil Aviation sends an advisory to airlines to monitor any abnormal surge in airfares to and from Bhubaneswar and other airports of Odisha in view of the Odisha train mishap, says the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Further, any cancellation and rescheduling of flights due to the incident may be done without penal charges, MoCA issues advisory
- 3 Jun 2023 6:26 PM IST
Photos of those killed and injured in the Odisha train accident have been uploaded on the website -- ser.indianrailways.gov.in.
- 3 Jun 2023 6:00 PM IST
"This is a very unfortunate incident. Everyone's demand is to conduct a detailed probe into the accident case," says NCP President Sharad Pawar on the Odisha train tragedy.
Maharashtra | NCP President Sharad Pawar speaks on the #OdishaTrainTragedy, says, "This is a very unfortunate incident. Everyone's demand is to conduct a detailed probe into the accident case." pic.twitter.com/QCvHS5J1Xx
— ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2023 - 3 Jun 2023 5:56 PM IST
"It's a painful incident. Govt will leave no stone unturned for the treatment of those injured. It's a serious incident and instructions are issued for probe from every angle. Those found guilty will be punished stringently. The railway is working towards track restoration. I met the injured victims.", says Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Odisha triple train tragedy.
#WATCH | "It's a painful incident. Govt will leave no stone unturned for the treatment of those injured. It's a serious incident, instructions issued for probe from every angle. Those found guilty will be punished stringently. Railway is working towards track restoration. I met… pic.twitter.com/ZhyjxXrYkw
— ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2023 - 3 Jun 2023 5:29 PM IST
Prime Minister Narendra Modi leaves the hospital in Balasore after meeting the injured victims of the Odisha triple train tragedy.
- 3 Jun 2023 5:27 PM IST
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits a hospital in Balasore to meet the injured victims of Odisha triple train tragedy.
- 3 Jun 2023 5:25 PM IST
"This tragedy has shocked and disturbed all of us. We will try to provide all possible help to the victims and their families. Raj Bhavan is in touch with all the hospitals in Balasore and Cuttack," says WB Governor Dr. CV Ananda Bose on Balasore train accident.
#WATCH | Kolkata: "This tragedy has shocked and disturbed all of us. We will try to provide all possible help to the victims and their families. Raj Bhavan is in touch with all the hospitals in Balasore and Cuttack," says WB Governor Dr CV Ananda Bose on #BalasoreTrainAccident pic.twitter.com/LJcN8RuMBJ
— ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2023 - 3 Jun 2023 5:24 PM IST
As of 4:30 PM today, 31 casualties from West Bengal have been reported and identified so far. 544 persons were injured. 25 persons from West Bengal are admitted to hospitals in Odisha and 11 persons in West Bengal: WB Govt
- 3 Jun 2023 5:23 PM IST
"The railway accident is very unfortunate. For the last almost 3 years, the railway was accident-free. My Government and I are deeply pained by this news...Railway Minister himself is monitoring the relief activities under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We will thoroughly inquire into the accident. We will see that no such mishaps take place," says Union Minister Pralhad Joshi.
#WATCH | #BalasoreTrainAccident | Union Minister Pralhad Joshi says, "The railway accident is very unfortunate. For the last almost 3 years, the railway was accident-free. My Govt & I are deeply pained by this news...Railway Minister himself is monitoring the relief activities… pic.twitter.com/M9wZ4GNEqz
— ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2023
