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 2:22 PM IST
West Bengal government announces a compensation of Rs 5 lakhs each for the next of kin of those people from the state who died in the accident. Rs 1 Lakh each announced for those with serious injuries and Rs 50,000 each for those with minor injuries: West Bengal CMO
- 3 Jun 2023 2:21 PM IST
A meeting between Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena, along with State Government officials, and Tamil Nadu Police officials is underway at Special Relief Commissioner's office
- 3 Jun 2023 2:21 PM IST
Russian President Vladimir Putin sent his condolences to President of India Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the deadly train collision in the Indian state of Odisha: Russian Embassy in India
“We share the grief of those who lost their loved ones in this tragic accident and wish a speedy recovery for those injured," reads the message
- 3 Jun 2023 2:07 PM IST
"I was going to Chennai from Bihar. I was in S3. The compartment was derailed after the collision. The management safely rescued us and we have reached Howarah," says one of the survivors of the Balasore train accident
- 3 Jun 2023 2:06 PM IST
"I have never seen such a horrific incident earlier. I was going to Chennai from Bihar. I have not informed my family yet," says one of the survivors of the Balasore train accident
- 3 Jun 2023 2:06 PM IST
I am most pained and anguished by the terrible train disaster in Odisha. I extend my deepest sympathy and condolences to all the bereaved families: Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson, Congress Parliamentary Party
- 3 Jun 2023 2:06 PM IST
Türkiye extends its condolences to the relatives of those who lost their lives in #BalasoreTrainAccident as well as to people and Government of India and wish a speedy recovery to the injured.
- 3 Jun 2023 1:57 PM IST
Former MoS Railways and Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury says, "Several people died in this heart-rending accident...I have always urged that the basic infrastructure should be given priority. Due to bullet trains, more investment is made into it. They keep talking about Vande Bharat but every day 25 lakh people travel on trains. If attention is not paid to it, it is the biggest mistake...Tall claims are made about anti-collision devices but where is it? Three trains met with the accident..."
- 3 Jun 2023 1:57 PM IST
At the site of Balasore train accident, West Bengal CM and former Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee says, "Coromandel is one of the best express trains. I was the Railway Minister thrice. From what I saw, this is the biggest railway accident of the 21st century. Such cases are handed over to Railway's safety commission & they investigate and give a report...There was no anti-collision device on the train, as far as I know. Had the device been on the train, this would not have happened...The dead can't be brought back but now our work is rescue operation & restoration of normalcy"
- 3 Jun 2023 1:56 PM IST
"Railway provides Rs 10 Lakhs as compensation. We will provide Rs 5 Lakhs each to the people of our state and cooperate and work with the Railways and Odisha Government until the work is complete," says West Bengal CM and former Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee after visiting the site of Balasore train accident in Odisha
