Odisha train accident updates | Restoration work continues into the night as death toll climbs to 288

A number of global leaders — including the Chinese President and Premier, the President of France, and the Prime Ministers of Japan and the United Kingdom — have expressed their condolences regarding the rail accident in Odisha that has left more than 280 people dead. In a message on social media, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also expressed their condolences.

Read here

ANI

​​

The Andhra Pradesh government has dispatched 20 ambulances and 21 funeral vehicles to the train accident site at Bahanaga Bazaar in Odisha, said Health Minister Vidadala Rajini on Saturday.

Expressing deep sorrow over the tragedy which claimed nearly 290 people and injured over a 1,000 more, she said more vehicles are on standby for dispatch if needed.

“For better coordination of these vehicles, a committee of officials from the health, transport and police departments has been appointed,” said the Health Minister in a press note shared by the State government today.

Further, she said Srikakulam RIMS, Vizag King George Hospital and hospitals superintendents in Vizianagaram have been put on alert.

Ms. Rajini said arrangements have been made to treat the injured and instructed medical personnel to be ready to go to the accident spot for administering treatment if needed.

According to the Minister, all the hospitals and medical personnel in the vicinity of southern State’s border with neighbouring Odisha have been alerted.

- PTI

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will visit AIIMS Bhubaneswar and Medical College in Cuttack on Sunday to take stock of medical assistance being provided to the injured victims of the Odisha tragic train accident, according to the sources.

The disastrous train accident has claimed 288 lives so far while over 1,000 people sustained injuries.

- ANI

With a preliminary investigation pointing to a possible failure of the signalling system, the analysis of the data logger in the Kharagpur-Bhadrak section of the South Eastern Railway will provide crucial evidence to the circumstances that led to a multi-train collision and claimed the lives of over 250 passengers and left about 900 others injured.

The data logger, also known as an event logger, is a microprocessor-based system which logs information about the relays, and records all activities in the signalling system of a railway station, officials explained.

Read more here...

The Telangana government on Saturday offerred support to the Odisha Government and the Railway authorities in rescue and relief operations relating to the ghastly railway accident that took place in Balasore district in Odisha.

As per the directions of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, the government contacted the Odisha Government and the Railway authorities and conveyed its readiness to extend all support, an official release said.

According to General Manager, South Central Railways Secunderabad, as of now, there are no passengers from Telangana among the injured or among casualties. However, State officials are in constant touch with Railways, the release added.

- PTI

The Indian Navy is working in close coordination with Odisha State Administration to provide medical relief and support at the site of the Coromandel Express accident near Balasore on Friday, said an official release.

A medical and support team of 43 personnel including Surgical Specialists and Medical Assistants, ambulances and support services from INS Chilka were dispatched last night and are presently attending to the injured, extending immediate medical relief and OT facilities at the District HQ Hospital at Balasore.

- ANI

At least 35 people from West Bengal have died and 544 sustained injuries in the Odisha train accident, the State government said on June 3.

“As of now, 35 passengers from West Bengal lost their lives in the accident while another 544 were injured. The numbers are likely to go up,” an official said.

The official added that a train carrying 700 passengers from Balasore is set to arrive at Howrah station on Saturday night.

“Medical facilities have been put in place. Paschim Medinipur District Magistrate and SP will be present at Kharagpur station to extend support to the passengers,” a government statement said.

- PTI

It was like any other day for Kishore Acharya (25) who had just finished his dinner and was looking forward to catch some entertainment on the television when the news broke out about the tragic train accident at Bahanaga in Odisha’s Balasore district. Mr. Acharya did not think twice and rushed to the District Headquarter Hospital, Balasore.

He was not alone. Scores of people from nearby villages and towns rushed to the nearest medical centres to donate blood.

Read more here...

Envoys and missions of several countries condoled the loss of lives in the tragic train accident in Odisha and expressed solidarity with India.

In a tweet, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti said, “On behalf of the US Mission in India, I extend our deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the tragic train accident in Balasore.” “We stand with India and the people of Odisha in this time of grief,” he said.

Russian envoy to India Denis Alipov also expressed condolences to the families of the victims of the tragic train derailment and wished speedy recovery to the injured.

Japanese envoy to India Hiroshi Suzuki said he was deeply saddened by the tragic losses caused by the railway accident in Odisha. “I express my deepest condolences to those who lost their loved ones and extend my sympathy to those affected. I hope that rescue efforts will save those who are missing as soon as possible,” he said.

Singapore High Commissioner Simon Wong also expressed deep shock over the accident and said he was saddened by the train tragedy. “Our thoughts are with the families of the bereaved and injured,” he said.

In a tweet, the Chinese Embassy said, “Our deep condolences to the victims and heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved families and the injured in #BalasoreTrainAccident. Wish the injured recover soon.” Israeli envoy to India Naor Gilon said, “Our thoughts are with the victims of the horrendous #TrainAccident in Odisha.”

- PTI

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has sent an advisory to airlines to monitor any abnormal surge in airfares to and from Odisha’s capital Bhubaneshwar following a deadly train accident in the State.

Read more here...

The engine drivers and guards of two trains were injured in the Odisha triple train accident and are being treated in different hospitals, a railway official said on Saturday.

The engine driver and the guard of the goods trains, however, escaped unhurt, the official added. Coromandel Express’s loco pilot and his assistant as well as the guard and Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express’s guard were on the injured list.

“The loco pilot, assistant loco pilot and the guard of Coromandel Express and the guard of the Bengaluru-Howrah Express are being treated in different hospitals,” senior divisional commercial manager of South Eastern Railway’s Kharagpur division, Rajesh Kumar, said.

- PTI

“Never expected I would see this kind of horrific accident in my life. Dead bodies all around, many limbless, people screaming for help stuck inside the coaches. I saw people with dismembered limbs and disfigured faces. This incident will haunt me for my whole life,” Samanth Jain(40), a native of Chikmagaluru district in Karnataka who survived the train crash in Odisha on June 2 told The Hindu.

Read more here...

Following his visit to the derailment site, PM Modi in a tweet said, “We stand committed to providing all possible assistance to those affected.”

Speaking to the media, he had said, “Stringent action will be taken against those found guilty in the train accident incident. No one will be spared.”

The death toll in the Odisha triple train accident climbed to 288, officials said.

The Indian Railways has ordered a high-level probe to ascertain the cause of the accident. The probe will be headed by the commissioner of railway safety, South Eastern Circle, officials said.

“A M Chowdhary, CRS, SE Circle, will inquire into the accident,” a spokesperson of the Indian Railways said.

The national transporter has also said anti-train collision system “Kavach” was not available on the route.

- PTI

Preliminary investigations have revealed that the Coromandel Express train involved entered the loop line and crashed into a goods train parked there instead of the main line just ahead of the Bahanagar Bazar station, a source said.

The coaches of Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express capsized after crashing into the coaches of Coromandel Express that had scattered on the adjacent track.

While Coromandel Express was at a speed of 128 kmph, Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express was running at a speed of 116 kmph. The report has been submitted to the Railway Board, sources said.

The loop lines of the Indian Railways are constructed in a station area — in this case, the Bahanagar Bazar station — to accommodate more trains to ease out the operations. The loop lines are generally 750 metres in length to accommodate full-length goods train with multiple engines.

The two trains were carrying around 2,000 passengers. At least 261 people have been killed in the accident and nearly 1,000 injured.

- PTI

Pope Francis voiced immense sadness at the accident and offered his prayers and condolences. The pontiff said he was “deeply saddened” by the “immense loss of life”.

“Entrusting the souls of the deceased to the loving mercy of the Almighty, (Pope Francis) sends heartfelt condolences to those who mourn their loss,” senior Vatican cardinal Pietro Parolin said in a telegram published by the Holy See.

“His Holiness likewise offers prayers for the many injured and for the efforts of the emergency service personnel,” said the telegram, which was addressed to the apostolic nuncio in India, Leopoldo Girelli.

Read more here...

At the site of the mishap, PM Modi reviewed relief works that are underway. He interacted with local authorities, personnel from the disaster relief forces and railways officials. He emphasised on ‘Whole of Government’ approach to mitigate this monumental tragedy.

The PM spoke to Cabinet Secretary and Health Minister from the site. He asked them to ensure all needed help is provided to the injured and their families. He also said that special care must be taken to ensure that the bereaved families don’t face inconvenience and those affected keep getting assistance they require.

Expressing shock and grief at the tragic train accident in Odisha, opposition leaders on Saturday stressed the importance of prioritising the safety of passengers by railways, while there were also demands to fix accountability and for the resignation of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

The Congress said the “horrendous” train accident in Odisha reinforces why safety should always be the foremost priority in the functioning of the rail network and asserted that there are many questions to ask of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Vaishnaw but those can wait as the immediate task was of rescue and relief.

CPI(ML) general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya said in a tweet: “Do we no longer have any signalling and safety system in Indian railways? Or will such terrible tragedies become the new normal for rail travel in India? We owe an answer to the victims and to the families who lost their near and dear ones in this mishap.”

The CPI and RJD demanded that Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw resign over the incident.

- PTI

The South Eastern Railway has announced that rescue operations at the accident site have ended, with the number of casualties at 261. The restoration work in Balasore continues

Southern Railway has said family members of victims of the train accident can travel to Bhadrak from Chennai. Another special train (No. 02840) will be operated, and it will depart from Dr. MGR Chennai Central Railway Station at 7.20 p.m. on Saturday, June 3.

“Family members and relatives of the affected passengers can collect their respective complimentary passes for the travel from the help desk at Chennai Central in advance before their travel. They can also register for their travel over phone by contacting the helpline numbers at Chennai Central: 044- 25330952, 044- 25330953 & 044-25354771, 9003061974 and 044 25354148 & 044 25330714,” a press release said.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday expressed grief over the loss of lives in a train accident. Taking to his official Twitter handle, Mr. Sharif wrote, “Deeply saddened by the loss of hundreds of lives in a train accident in India. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families who lost their loved ones in this tragedy. Prayers for a speedy recovery of the injured.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin also expressed grief over the loss of lives. He offered condolences to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu over the train accident in Odisha.

“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,” according to the statement released by Kremlin. “We share the grief of those who lost their loved ones in this tragic accident, and wish a speedy recovery for those injured,” the statement said.

-ANI

In January, Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways, had revealed that the Indian Railways was reeling under a crushing staff shortage with 3.12 lakh non-gazetted posts lying vacant across the country, spread across 18 zones, as on December 1, 2022. The Minister had disclosed the information in response to a starred question in the Rajya Sabha.

The maximum posts are vacant in the northern zone (38,754), followed by the western (30,476), eastern (30,141), and central zones (28,650).

A minor altercation between West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata and Railway Minister Ashwini was reported at the train accident site in Odisha’s Balasore on Saturday.

“There was something (error) behind the accident and it should be probed properly as so many lives have been lost. I have heard that the death-toll could rise up to 500. Three bogies have not been searched,” said Ms. Banerjee.

Meanwhile, Mr. Vaishnaw, who was present there, retorted saying that rescue operation was over and the death toll stood at 238. - Satyasundar Barik

Anubhav Das, a passenger on the Coromandel Express that was involved in a horrific triple train crash on June 2, has posted an eyewitness account of the tragedy on Twitter.

In a series of tweets, Mr. Das has described how the accident unfolded. “As a passenger on the Coromandel Express from Howrah to Chennai, I am extremely thankful to have escaped unscathed. It probably is the biggest train accident related incident.”

“Three trains were involved in the accident -- Coromandel Express 12841, Yesvantpur-Howrah SF and a goods train. Initial impressions are that the Coromandel Express derailed and collided with the goods train (parked on the loop track on the side),” he said.

It was around 2 a.m. on June 3 at Bahanaga Railway Station — the site where one most of the tragic rail accidents of recent memory had occurred. After watching piles of bodies being pulled out of capsized bogies and packed off in pick-up trucks, I started wondering where bodies were heading to.

It took me to one unusual place where one could have thought of preserving bodies. It was Bahanaga High School which would reopen in a fortnight after summer vacation. Curious to know the fate of the bodies, I entered the school premises.

The Bahanaga High School, which was converted into a makeshift mortuary, presented an unnerving experience as I stepped inside in the course of my reporting. The lifeless bodies lay strewn across the floor. I was overwhelmed hearing the constant ringtones coming from corpses. Surely, their loved ones must have been making desperate calls to ascertain the well-being of their relatives. - Satyasundar Barik

Leaders from across the world, including Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, have expressed their deepest condolences to the families and the Government of India for the triple train crash that took place in Odisha in which at least 261 people were killed.

Nepal Prime Minister ‘Prachanda’, who is on a four-day visit to India, tweeted, “I’m saddened by the loss of dozens of lives in a train accident in Odisha, India today. I extend deep condolences to Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji, Government, and the bereaved families in this hour of grief.” Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry said that he is “deeply saddened” to learn about the train accident in Odisha. He wished for a speedy recovery for all those affected in the accident.

The Balasore district hospital and Soro hospital where the injured have been rushed after three trains derailed one on top of another in a horrific accident, killing at least 261 people and injuring over 650 in Odisha, looked like war zone with the injured lying on stretchers in the corridor and rooms bursting at its seams with extra beds propped up to take care of the unending stream of injured passengers. - PTI

Leaders of major political parties in Tamil Nadu on Saturday expressed deep condolences to the families of those killed in the train accident in Odisha, and demanded that the rescue and relief efforts be expedited.

AIADMK general secretary and Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami said he was deeply saddened by the accident, especially on hearing that many people from Tamil Nadu were affected. He urged the Tamil Nadu government to take all necessary measures to ensure the wellbeing of those injured, and safely bring them back home.

A preliminary investigation by a team of railway officials has revealed that signal was given and then taken off for Coromandel Express which entered the Loop Line and collided with the goods train.

According to railway sources, preliminary investigation by a team of railway officials revealed that the signal for Train No 12841 Shalimar-Dr MGR Chennai Central Coromandel Express was given for passing through the Up Main Line and then taken off. The reason why the signal was given and taken off was not made clear in the report.

Rajesh Kumar, Senior Deputy Commercial Manager and Spokesperson of South East Railways, speaking to The Hindu, narrated as to how the accident took place, “A goods train was stationary in the Loop Line. The Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express, which was running at 130 km per hour, veered towards loop and hit the stationary goods train from the behind. The signal had already been given to Coromandel Express to pass along the mainline. We have no idea as to how Coromandel changed its direction towards loop,” he said.

“Immediately, the engine portion of Coromandel climbed up the goods train. Coromandel had 22 bogies. 10 of them were unaffected while 12 were capsized. During this time, Yeshwantpur-Howrah Express was passing through Bahanaga Railway Station. The train had already crossed the accident site when its last two bogies which were general coaches got hit by the tail of Coromandel Express. So two general coaches of Yeshwantpur-Howrah train was impacted this manner,” he further added. - Satyasundar Barik

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday visited the railway accident site near Balasore in Odisha. She met Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav and said many of the deceased and injured are from West Bengal.

“We have sent 70 ambulances and a team of 40 doctors are working on the spot. People with minor injuries are returning to Howrah,” she said. - Shiv Sahay Singh

Following a rail accident in Odisha on June 2, South Western Railways on Saturday announced cancellation of 33 trains including three trains which was scheduled to commence from Bengaluru.

According to a press release from SWR on Saturday, canceled trains from Bengaluru are No 12551 SMVT Bengaluru– Kamakhya, No 12864 SMVT Bengaluru – Howrah, and No 12253 SMVT Bengaluru – Bhagalpur.

Here is the list of trains cancelled by SWR:

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam on June 3 announced the cancellation of the birth centenary celebrations of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, on account of the train accident in Odisha.

In a statement issued on Saturday, party president and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said the accident had shaken the nation, and it would not be appropriate to celebrate the centenary of Kalaignar (Karunanidhi) who had dedicated his life to the upliftment of the poor and safeguarding of human rights.

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.

Army columns were rushed in and Air Force helicopters deployed for relief and rescue operations for passengers injured in the triple train crash site at Bahana Nagar in Odisha, a Defence official said on Saturday.

“Army medical and engineering teams with ambulances and support services have been deployed from Eastern Command,” he said.

Army columns, including engineering and medical personnel, have been rushed to the accident site from its installations at Barrackpore and Panagarh in West Bengal to the rail disaster site, the official said. Two Mi17s were deployed for evacuation of the injured passengers, he said. - PTI

Two trains carrying around 1,200 stranded passengers of the trains involved in the accident in Odisha’s Balasore district will arrive at Howrah on Saturday. 12864 Sir M Visvesvaraya-Howrah Superfast Express is coming towards Howrah with 1000 passengers. A special train is also coming from Balasore towards Howrah with around 200 stranded passengers.

Water, tea and food items are provided to the passengers at Kharagpur station. Food packets will also be provided at Howrah station on arrival of the trains.

Arrangement at HWH station for taking care of passengers: 1) Medical booth, ambulance, first AID facilities with Doctors at P.F 08 2) Coordination with state medical hospital, HWH for admission 3) Food packets and water 4) Announcement at PF by RPF and Commercial team with Mike for localised announcement regarding availability of facilities provided and guidance 5) Availability of e-wheel chair, wheel chair, stretcher at PF 08 6) May I Help You booth 7) Provision of connecting train for Main and chord line for evacuation of passenger 8) Free entry of taxis in Cab Entry - Shiv Sahay Singh

The State Emergency Operation Centre has set up a helpline for the convenience of public. The helpline numbers are 1070, 080-22253707 and 080-22340676.

The Congress on Saturday said the “horrendous” train accident in Odisha reinforces why safety should always be the foremost priority in the functioning of the rail network and asserted that there are many legitimate questions that need to be raised.

Jairam Ramesh, the Congress general secretary said in a tweet that the train accident in Odisha is truly horrendous and is a matter of the greatest anguish. “It reinforces why SAFETY should always be the foremost priority in the functioning of the rail network. There are many legitimate questions that need to be raised but that should wait till tomorrow,” Mr. Ramesh tweeted.

“The number of casualties in Friday’s railway accident has increased to 261. Another 650 injured passengers are being treated at various hospitals in Odisha,” PTI quoted South Eastern Railway (SER) spokesperson Aditya Chowdhury as saying.

Worried over the increase in train accidents across the rail network, the Railway Board has called for urgent steps to fill vacancies and reduce the long working hours of locomotive pilots.

According to sources in the railways, 48 consequential train accidents were reported in 2022-23 compared to 35 in the previous year. The number of non-consequential train accidents was 162 in 2022-23, which included 35 cases of Signal Passed at Danger (SPAD).

The prolonged working hours of loco pilots due to an acute shortage of manpower was suspected to be the main reason for the increasing number of accidents, particularly SPAD cases, though there were other causes as well.

While it is not clear what caused the crash, sources indicated a possible signalling failure. The national transporter also said anti-train collision system “Kavach” was not available on the route.

“The rescue operation has been completed. Now, we are starting the restoration work. Kavach was not available on this route,” Indian Railways Spokesperson Amitabh Sharma said.

The railways is in the process of installing “Kavach”, an anti-train collision system, across its network.

The railways has initiated a high-level probe into the train crash in Odisha, which will be headed by the commissioner of railway safety, South Eastern Circle, officials said on Saturday.

The commissioner of railway safety works under the Ministry of Civil Aviation and investigates all such accidents.

Two trains carrying around 1,200 stranded passengers of the trains involved in the gruesome accident at Bahanaga Bazar in Odisha’s Balasore district will arrive at Howrah on Saturday, a South Eastern Railway official said.

While one train is coming with 1,000 passengers, another is on its way from Balasore to Howrah with around 200 stranded passengers, he said. Necessary assistance along with food and water will be provided to the passengers at Kharagpur and Howrah stations.

The Tamil Nadu government has made arrangements to ensure the return of the stranded and injured passengers from Odisha, and a high-level delegation comprising state ministers and officials have been sent to coordinate the rescue and relief activities at the accident site, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said on Saturday.

About 250 passengers have boarded a special train from Bhadrak and they would reach the Dr. MGR Chennai Central station on Sunday morning, an official said.

The Karnataka government on Saturday deputed a team led by Minister Santosh Lad to ensure safety and rescue of Kannadigas in Balasore train accident.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has also sought reports from the Chief Secretary and discussed with the officers concerned on the issue. The Chief Minister has also directed the officials to visit the spot to ensure the safety of Kannadigas and provide all necessary support to them.

A team headed by Minister Santosh Lad, accompanied by Manoj Rajan, Commissioner, Disaster Management and other officers has already left for Balasore, a note from Chief Minister’s Office. - The Hindu Bureau

The rescue operation has been completed, now we are starting the restoration work. ‘Kawach’ was not available on this route, said Amitabh Sharma, Railways Spokesperson on the train accident in Odisha.

‘Kawach’ alerts when a loco pilot jumps a signal (Signal Passed at Danger -SPAD), which is the leading cause of train collisions. The system can alert the loco pilot and take control of the brakes and bring train movement to a halt automatically when it notices another train on the same line within a prescribed distance.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday visited the District Headquarter Hospital in Balasore and met the injured passengers who are under treatment there. He interacted with the doctors and patients regarding the treatment services.

Speaking to media after visiting the hospital, Mr. Patnail said “I am deeply distressed by this extremely tragic train accident. I have to thank the local people, the local teams who have worked overnight to save people from the wreckage. Railway safety should always be given the first preference. The people have been taken to hospital in Balasore also in Cuttack, so that they recover as fast as possible.”

According to government sources, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the train accident site in Odisha’s Balasore district on June 3. He will also visit the hospital in Cuttack where the injured have been admitted.

Pukhrayan Train Derailment (2016): On November 20, 2016, the Indore-Patna Express derailed near Pukhrayan, Uttar Pradesh. The accident resulted in the loss of around 150 lives.

Gaisal Train Disaster (1999): On August 2, 1999, the Brahmaputra Mail collided with the Awadh-Assam Express near Gaisal, Assam. The accident resulted in the deaths of approximately 290 people.

Khanna Rail Crash (1998): On November 26, 1998, the Jammu Tawi-Sealdah Express collided with the Kalindi Express near Khanna, Punjab. The accident led to the loss of around 212 lives.

Firozabad Train Collision (1995): On August 20, 1995, a collision occurred between the Purushottam Express and the Kalindi Express near Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh. The accident claimed the lives of around 358 people.

Peruman Train Collision (1981): On July 8, 1981, the Island Express collided with a local passenger train near Peruman, Kerala. The accident caused the deaths of approximately 150 people.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Saturday expressed grief over the death of 238 people in a train accident in Odisha’s Balasore district.

“Deeply pained by the heartbreaking Coromandel Express train accident near Bahanaga railway station in Balasore district of Odisha. May God give peace to the departed souls and strength to the bereaved family members to bear these difficult hours of grief. I wish speedy recovery of those injured in the accident,” tweeted Mr. Soren.

Picture credit: Raghunathan S.R.

Army teams have been deployed to assist in the evacuation and treatment of injured citizens in the Odisha triple train accident that claimed the lives of 238 people.

“Indian Army has been deployed to assist in the evacuation and treatment of injured citizens. Army medical and engineering teams with ambulances and support services have been deployed from the Eastern Command. The teams have been routed from multiple bases so as to reach the place of the incident as early as possible,” said Indian Army officials.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday arrived at the Balasore District Hospital and met the people who were injured in the train accident.

Earlier, the Odisha CM also visited the incident spot and took stock of the situation. - ANI

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will visit Odisha’s Balasore on June 3 to take stock of the situation after at least 238 passengers were killed and 900 injured in the mishap involving two passenger trains and a goods train.

“West Bengal CM is likely to reach Balasore by this afternoon to take stock of the situation and will also meet injured,” according to sources. - ANI

Picture credit: Raghunathan S.R.

A special train carrying the relatives of the passengers who met with the accident in Odisha will leave for Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. MGR Central railway station on June 3 at 6.30 p.m.

Expressing distress over the train accident in Odisha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 2 said rescue operations were underway at the site and all possible assistance was being given to those affected.

PM Modi also announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).

Picture credit: Raghunathan S.R.

A special train carrying stranded passengers started from Bhadrak towards Chennai on Saturday. Approximately 250 passengers have boarded this train, according to Railway CPRO.

The train will tentatively reach Dr. MGR Chennai central tentatively at 9:00 hrs on June 4.

PM Narendra Modi on Saturday convened a meeting to review the situation in relation to the rail accident in Odisha’s Balasore district, according to government sources.

Officials of the South Western Railways (SWR) said that 994 reserved passengers and around 300 unreserved are estimated to have boarded from Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal in the city in Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express.

Speaking to The Hindu, Chief Public Relations Officer Aneesh Hegde said, “It is learnt that two General Second (GS) coaches and brake van of the train left from Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal derailed. As they were unreserved coaches, it will take some time to ascertain the identity of passengers. In the reserved coach, details of passengers including contact number are available in the database, as they are registered during the reservation of the ticket.”

The following trains will ​remain cancelled/partially cancelled /diverted​ due to the accident:

CANCELLATION OF TRAINS

12837 Howrah-Puri Express journey

12863 Howrah-Sir M Visveswaraiya Terminal Express

12839 Howrah-Chennai Mail

12895 Shalimar-Puri Superfast Express

20831 Shalimar-Sambalpur Express

02837 Santragachi-Puri Special

22201 Sealdah-Puri Duronto Express

12074 Bhubaneswar-Howrah Jan Shatabdi Express from Bhubaneswar

12073 Howrah-Bhubaneswar Jan Shatabdi Express from Howrah

12278 Puri-Howrah Shatabdi Express from Puri

12277 Howrah-Puri Shatabdi Express from Howrah

12822 Puri-Shalimar Dhauli Express from Puri

12821 Shalimar Puri Dhauli Express from Shalimar

12892 Puri-Bangiriposi from Puri

12891 Bangiriposi-Puri Express from Bangiriposi

02838 Puri-Santragachhi Special from Puri

12842 Chennai-Shalimar Coromandal Express from Chennai

12509 SMVT Bengaluru-Guwahati from Bangalore

22201 Sealdah - Puri

12838 Howrah - Puri

18410 Howrah - Puri

8012 - Puri - Bhanjpur

18021 - Kharagpur - Khurda Road

8415 - Jaleswar- Puri

18044 - Bhadrak - Howrah

8411 - Balasore - Bhubaneswar

12666 - Howrah - Kanniyakumari

12074 - Howrah - Bhubaneswa22895 - Howrah - Puri

DIVERSION OF TRAINS VIA TATANAGAR:

22807 Santragachi-Chennai Express

22873 Digha-Visakhapatnam Express

18409 Shalimar-Puri Sri Jagannath Express

22817 Howrah-Mysuru Express

12802 New Delhi-Puri Purusottam Express from New Delhi on 01.06.2023 will run via Tata-Kendujhargarh

18478 Rishikesh-Puri Kalinga Utkal Express from Rishikesh on 01.06.2023 will run via Tata-Kendujhargarh

12815 Puri-Anand Vihar (New Delhi) Nandankanan Express from Puri on 03.06.2023 will run via Jakhapura-Jaroli

PARTIAL CANCELLATION

08415 Jaleswar-Puri Special from Jaleswar on 03.06.2023 will originate from Bhadrak instead of Jaleswar

The ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal on June 2 demanded Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw’s resignation over the horrific triple train crash in neighbouring Odisha.

TMC’s national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee alleged that the Centre was spending crores of rupees on software to spy on Opposition leaders while neglecting the installation of anti-collision devices in trains to prevent such accidents.

UN General Assembly President Csaba Korosi has expressed his deepest condolence to the families and the Government of India for the tragic train crash in Odisha in which at least 238 people were killed.

“I’m deeply saddened to hear the news of the train crash in Odisha, India. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and with the emergency services. Heartfelt condolences to the people and the Government of India,” Mr. Korosi, the President of the 77th session of the General Assembly tweeted.

The BJP has adjourned all its programmes, scheduled for June 3 related to the Modi government’s ninth anniversary in the wake of the tragic train accident in Balasore. Party chief J.P. Nadda posted a tweet to this effect and expressed his pain at the devastating accident.

It is extremely painful and heartrending, he said, conveying condolences to the families of the victims.

More than 150 passengers were in Train No. 12841 (Shalimar- Madras) Coromandel Express, and in Train No. 12864 (Yashwantpur – Howrah) Express, which crashed at Bahanaga Bazar station in Odisha on June 2.

The passengers boarded the train, going to Howrah, at Vijayawada, Eluru, Rajahmundry, Tadepalligudem, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, Tirupati, Visakhapatnam, and several passengers coming by the Coromandel Express, are expected to alight at different stations in AP, the SCR officials said.

The accident took place at around 7 p.m. on June 2 when two coaches of 12864 (SMVB-HWH) Yashwantpur-Howrah Express derailed near Bahanaga Railway station in Balasore district. The derailed coaches tossed over to the adjoining track and hit the speeding 12841 Coromandel Express coming from the opposite direction. It led to derailment of about 17 bogies.

Enquiring about the tragic train accident in Odisha’s Balasore district, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy instructed Industries and IT Minister Gudivada Amarnath to visit the accident site along with a team of IAS officers to obtain a first-hand account of the passengers belonging to A.P. travelling in the ill-fated train, and extend all possible help.

Civil Supplies Commissioner H. Arun Kumar is leading the team of IAS officers consisting of joint commissioner of commercial taxes (Visakhapatnam) Anand and joint collector (Srikakulam) M. Naveen.

A high level inquiry will be conducted into the accident, said Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday after visiting the train accident site in Odisha’s Balasore district. Commissioner (Railway Safety) will lead the inquiry, he said.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday expressed sorrow over the tragic train accident in Odisha and conveyed condolence to the families who have lost their loved ones in the incident.

”Deeply saddened by the tragic train accident in Odisha. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families who have lost their loved ones. Kerala stands in solidarity with Odisha during this difficult time. @Naveen_Odisha,” he tweeted.

As per the information received till now, there are 238 casualties. Around 650 injured passengers have been taken to the Hospitals of Gopalpur, Khantapara, Balasore, Bhadrak and Soro.

Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday visited the train accident site in Odisha’s Balasore in which over 230 people were killed and about 900 injured, involving the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express and a goods train.

He said the Commissioner of Railway Safety, South East Circle will inquire into the Odisha train accident. The cause of the train accident in Odisha will be known after the Commissioner of Railway Safety submits his report, he said.