🔴 Death toll in Odisha train accident rises to 288; PM Modi says those responsible won't be spared, railway minister orders high-level probe
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday visited Balasore train accident site to take the stock of the situation.PM Modi reviewed relief works that are underway. He was briefed by Union railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan and other officials. He also interacted with local authorities, personnel from the disaster relief forces and railways officials. The toll in the disastrous railway accident in Odisha has risen to 261 and rescue operations at the site have been completed, a South Eastern Railway official said on Saturday. An enquiry into the accident will be held by the commissioner of railway safety (CRS), South Eastern circle, the official said. The train crash, one of the deadliest in the country, took place 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. Three trains - the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express and a goods train were involved in the accident.
JJ News Desk
Over 200 people have died and around 900 were injured as Coromandel, Bengaluru-Howrah Express trains derailed and hit a goods train at Bahanaga station in Balasore district of Odisha. Many passengers were trapped in the overturned coaches of the superfast train. Quoting preliminary reports, a railway official said that the Coromandel train, involved in the accident, was moving on the mainline. Rescue operations are complete, now restoration happening. The railways has initiated a high-level probe into the train crash in Odisha to be headed by the commissioner of railway safety, South Eastern Circle. The commissioner of railway safety works under the Ministry of Civil Aviation and investigates all such accidents. Officials in Bhubaneswar said 200 ambulances, 50 buses and 45 mobile health units were working at the accident site, besides 1,200 personnel. The bodies were being taken to the hospitals in all kinds of vehicles, including tractors.
Several people are injured as 12841 Coromandel Express from Shalimar to Chennai derailed at Bahanaga station in Balasore district of Odisha. Around 200 passengers are trapped in the overturned coaches of the superfast train. Quoting preliminary reports, a railway official said that the Coromandel train was moving on the mainline. After derailment it hit a goods train standing on the loop line. The Express train is believed to have hit Yashwantpur-Howrah Express from behind.
“At around 7pm, 10-12 coaches of the Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express derailed near Baleswar and fell on the opposite track. After some time, another train from Yeswanthpur to Howrah dashed into those derailed coaches resulting in the derailment of its 3-4 coaches" - Railways Spokesperson Amitabh Sharma
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expresses grief over the train accident in Odisha's Balasore district.
Several trains cancelled while some are diverted in the section affected by train derailment in Odisha's Balasore district.
Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik arrives at the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) control room to take stock of the relief operation in the aftermath of a train derailment in Balasore district.
Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw rushing to the accident site in Balasore, Odisha.
Additional rescue team of Odisha Fire and Emergency service comprising 26 members with advance rescue equipments of Odisha Fire and Disaster Response Academy Bhubaneswar moved to train accident site for rescue op.
Nearly 50 ambulances have reported but the injured appear far too many. Large no of buses being mobilised to shift injured to hospital: Odisha chief secretary
West Bengal is sending five rescue teams to the accident site, tweets CM Mamata Banerjee.
Tamil Nadu: Help desk set-up at Chennai railway station
Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announces ex-gratia compensation to the victims of the unfortunate train accident in Odisha: Rs 10 lakh in case of death, Rs 2 lakh towards grievous injuries, and Rs 50,000 for minor injuries.
Coromandel Express Train Accident: PICS
“There are some serious injuries. Teams of doctors from Bhadrak and Kharagpur have also reached" - Railway spokesperson Amitabh Sharma
Death toll rises to 238
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: South Eastern Railway
UNGA President condoles triple train crash in Odisha
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 233 people were killed. On Friday, in one of the worst railway disasters in India, three trains collided one after another in a horrific sequence in Odisha's Balasore district, setting off a massive rescue and evacuation process. “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,” Korosi, the President of the 77th session of the General Assembly tweeted.
Punjab CM Mann expresses grief over Odisha train accident
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has convened a meeting to review the situation in relation to the rail accident: Govt of India Sources
Latest visuals from the site of the deadly train accident in Odisha's Balasore. Rescue operations underway
Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin leaves for Odisha's Balasore seeking details of train accident
Tamil Nadu announces one-day mourning for those who died in Odisha train accident
Aerial visuals from ANI’s drone camera show the extent of damage at the spot of the Balasore Train Accident in Odisha.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee to visit Odisha's Balasore today to take stock of the situation and meet the injured.
Tamil Nadu announces one-day mourning for those who died in Odisha train accident
49 trains cancelled, 38 diverted after Odisha Train Tragedy
"Saddened to hear about the tragic train accident in Odisha..," tweets cricketer Virat Kohli
Canadian PM Justin Trudeau condoles the loss of lives in Balasore Train Accident "The images and reports of the train crash in Odisha, India break my heart...At this difficult time, Canadians are standing with the people of India," he tweets.
Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik says, "...extremely tragic train accident...I have to thank the local teams, local people & others 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 hospitals in Balasore and Cuttack so that they recover as fast as possible."
Rescuers try to raise buried coach at triple rail crash site as death toll is 238
Huge cranes and bulldozers have been brought in to raise a coach which has been buried by the impact of another wagon falling on as rescue workers wield gas torches and electric cutters to pull out survivors and the dead from the mangled steel of three trains that derailed one on top of another in a horrific sequence, killing at least 238 people and injuring more than 900 in Odisha's Balasore district, officials and witnesses said Saturday. Officials in Bhubaneswar said 200 ambulances, 50 buses and 45 mobile health units were working at the accident site, besides 1,200 personnel. The bodies were being taken to the hospitals in all kinds of vehicles, including tractors.
“Nine teams have been deployed (at the accident site). All bogies which are affected are being searched thoroughly. Few bogies, which were tilted, are being lifted to see if any injured or dead body is there" - NDRF DIG Manoj Yadav
PM Narendra Modi will go to Odisha today. First, he will visit the site of the accident in Balasore and then he will visit the hospital in Cuttack: Sources
The rescue operation has been completed, now we are starting the restoration work. Kawach was not available on this route: Amitabh Sharma, Railways Spokesperson on Balasore Train Accident
Tamil Nadu CM Stalin announces financial assistance for Balasore train accident victims
Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin on Saturday announced an assistance amount of Rs 5 lakh for the family of deceased and Rs 1 lakh for injured in Balasore train accident. Stalin today reached the State Emergency Operation Centre in Chennai to take stock of the situation. Stalin informed that he had spoken to Odisha's CM Naveen Patnaik and assured him of all possible assistance from Tamil Nadu Government.
Odisha train collision: IAF deploys Mi-17 helicopters for evacuation of casualties
The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Saturday deployed Mi-17 helicopters for the evacuation of deceased and injured in the Odisha triple train accident, informed Eastern Command. The death toll in the Odisha train accident involving two express trains -- Bengaluru-Howrah Express and Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express -- and a goods train in Balasore has risen to 238, South Eastern Railway said on Saturday. According to the Eastern Command, IAF is coordinating the rescue efforts with the civil administration and Indian Railways.
Toll in triple train crash rises to 261, rescue operations complete
The toll in the disastrous railway accident in Odisha has risen to 261 and rescue operations at the site have been completed, a South Eastern Railway official said on Saturday. "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," SER spokesperson Aditya Chowdhury said.
Ministry of Railways issues helpline numbers in the wake of Balasore train accident
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs a high-level meeting to review the situation in relation to the Balasore train accident
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
“The rescue operation has been completed and restoration work has started. We will thoroughly investigate this incident and will ensure such incidents don't happen in future" - Railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
We sent 40 ambulances yesterday and 70 today. 40 of our doctors have reached here and they are working: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee
Balasore Train Accident: Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal met the injured at Community Health Centre in Soro, Balasore. He asked the doctors to ensure proper treatment for them
With the support of the Centre, Odisha government can face any challenge. We are a state which has faced (cyclone) Fani and other challenges and earned a name in the world and we have accepted this challenge and will fight it successfully with the help of PM, CM:- Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal on train accident
Odisha train accident: Balasore district hospital a 'war-zone' with rooms bursting with patients
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.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee announces financial assistance of Rs 5 Lakh to every affected family from Bengal.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at the site of Balasore train accident to take stock of the situation.
Odisha: After taking stock of the situation at Balasore train accident site, PM Modi arrives at a hospital in Balasore to meet the injured victims of Odisha Train Tragedy.
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
As of 4:30 PM on June 3, 31 casualties from West Bengal have been reported and identified so far
544 persons were injured. 25 persons of West Bengal are admitted in hospitals in Odisha and 11 persons in West Bengal: West Bengal Govt
This is a serious issue for the govt. Directions have been given for all kind of probes. Those responsible should get punished will not be spared: PM Modi
This is a very disturbing accident. The government will leave no stone unturned for those injured. We cannot bring back to those whom we have lost, but we are with the families: PM Modi
Railway is working towards track restoration: PM Modi
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 Odisha Train Mishap: Ministry of Civil Aviation
Further, any cancellation and rescheduling of flights due to the incident may be done without penal charges, MoCA issues advisory
Odisha: Restoration work is underway at the site of Balasore train accident as wreckage and mangled coaches of derailed trains are being moved away from the track.
“So far, a total of 58 trains stand cancelled, 81 were diverted & 10 were terminated. Work is underway in full swing, & restoration will be done soon; first, we will complete the restoration of the downline" - Amitabh Sharma, spokesperson, ministry of railways on Balasore train mishap
As of 2pm today, the death toll in #OdishaTrainTragedy has risen to 288 while 747 people have been injured along with 56 grievously injured: Indian Railways
Bihar govt issues emergency helpline numbers
The people of Bihar can dial emergency helpline numbers 0612-2249204 and 0612-229405. A dedicated team has been deployed which will provide detailed status of the victims.
Ministry of Railways spokesperson Amitabh Sharma on anti-collision device
Anti-collision device was an old technology used in Railways. It used to work with automatic brakes in locomotive proximity. However, if the driver crossed the red signal, then there were no automatic brakes. The enhanced version of this technology, TCAS, was designed indigenously. Work is being done with regard to this, and it has been rolled out nationwide. It has also been sanctioned in various railway lines, and we are expecting to have it installed by 2024
Odisha train accident: West Bengal-bound buses fined for overcharging stranded passengers
BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha transport department cracked the whip on several West Bengal-bound buses for fleecing passengers on Saturday. The buses were fined for charging exorbitant fares amid cancellation of several trains in view of the train accident in Balasore on Friday evening.
Odisha train accident: Four-member team to help passengers from Bihar
Acting at the directive of chief minister Nitish Kumar, the Bihar government on Saturday decided to send a team of four senior officials to Odisha’s Balasore to provide necessary assistance to train passengers hailing from Bihar. These passengers were affected by the train accident on Friday.
Blood donors turn saviours for Odisha train accident victims
At a time when hospitals in Balasore were staring at an imminent shortage of blood in view of the admission of hundreds of profusely bleeding passengers of the horrific train accident, people from the locality and nearby areas turned as saviours by voluntarily donating blood on Friday evening and Saturday
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. – PM Modi
Officials are closely monitoring the restoration process at the accident site: Ministry of Railway
Restoration work is ongoing at Warfooting at 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, tweets Ministry of Railway
The root cause of this accident has been identified. PM Modi inspected the site yesterday. We will try to restore the track today. All bodies have been removed. Our target is to finish the restoration work by Wednesday morning so that trains can start running on this track: Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
The commissioner of railway safety has investigated the matter and let the investigation report come but we have identified the cause of the incident and the people responsible for it... It happened due to a change in electronic interlocking. Right now our focus is on restoration: Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
The goods train did not get derailed. Since the goods train was carrying iron ores, the maximum damage of the impact was on Coromandel Express. This is the reason for a huge number of deaths and injuries. The derailed bogies of Coromandel Express came on the down line, and hit the last two bogies of Yashwantpur Express which was crossing at the speed of 126 km/h from down line: Jaya Varma Sinha, Member of Operation and Business Development, Railway Board
According to the preliminary findings, there has been some issue with the signalling. We are still waiting for the detailed report from the Commissioner of Railway Safety. Only Coromandal Express met with an accident. The train was at a speed of around 128 km/h: Jaya Varma Sinha, Member of Operation and Business Development, Railway Board
With restoration work underway, at least two railway lines are expected to be operational by 8pm today at the site. We expect that trains will start running at a low speed. Inquiry is underway, we are investigating all angles. Prima facie it appears to be an issue of signalling, but we cannot authenticate anything as of now: Jaya Varma Sinha, Member of Operation and Business Development, Railway Board
Odisha's CM has announced free bus service to Kolkata from Puri, Bhubaneswar & Cuttack. Arrangement will continue till the restoration of normal train services in #Baleswar route.
Bus carrying injured passengers from Odisha train accident site meets with accident in Bengal
Restoration work is underway at the site of the three-train accident in Odisha's Balasore
Railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw says, "Track linking of Up-line has been done at 1645 hrs. Overhead electrification work started."
Pope Francis condoles the loss of life in the #BalasoreTrainAccident
"My prayer go to the many victims of the train accident that occurred two days ago (June 2) in India. I express my closeness to the injured and their families. May the Heavenly Father welcome the souls of the deceased into his kingdom," says Pope Francis: Reuters
Balasore, Odisha: Train movement resumes in the affected section where the horrific #BalasoreTrainAccident happened that claimed 275 lives. Visuals from Bahanaga Railway station.