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 1:56 PM ISTWe sent 40 ambulances yesterday and 70 today. 40 of our doctors have reached here and they are working: West Bengal CM and former Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee at the site
- 3 Jun 2023 1:55 PM IST
This is a very horrific accident. The management will surely conduct investigation into the case," says Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar
- 3 Jun 2023 1:55 PM IST
There is a very huge response from the youth. Hundreds of people donated blood. More than 3000 units of blood collected since last night in Cuttack, Balasore and Bhadrak. We've also donated to CM and PM relief funds: Dr Jayant Panda, SCB Medical College, Cuttack on Balasore train accident
- 3 Jun 2023 1:54 PM IST
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— ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2023 - 3 Jun 2023 1:54 PM IST
PM Narendra Modi is leaving for Odisha where he will review the situation in the wake of the train mishap: PMO
- 3 Jun 2023 1:54 PM IST
"This is a very tragic incident. Our govt will conduct a detailed investigation of the case. Railways Minister is present at the site and PM Modi will also soon reach there to review the situation. We are with the families of the victims," says CT Ravi, BJP National General Secretary
- 3 Jun 2023 1:53 PM IST
#WATCH | West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee reaches Odisha's #Balasore where a collision between three trains left 261 dead pic.twitter.com/2q4KSNksum
— ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2023 - 3 Jun 2023 1:52 PM IST
I am deeply saddened by the news of the loss of many precious lives and the injuries in the train accident in the State of Odisha. On behalf of the Government of Japan and people, I would like to express our heartfelt condolences to those who lost their lives and their bereaved families. I also pray for the speedy recovery of those who were injured: Message of condolences from Japanese PM Fumio Kishida to PM Narendra Modi
- 3 Jun 2023 1:52 PM IST
The train accident in Balasore, Odisha is very heartbreaking. My condolences go out to the bereaved families in this hour of grief. I pray to God for speedy recovery of the injured. In view of this tragedy, I have postponed all my public programs today, including the program planned today to mark the completion of 9 years of the central government: Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel
- 3 Jun 2023 1:52 PM IST
As per the information received till now, there are 261 casualties. Injured passengers have been taken to the Hospitals of Gopalpur, Khantapara, Balasore, Bhadrak and Soro: South Eastern Railway
