Odisha train tragedy: A major train accident involving three trains – Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express and a goods train took place in Odisha’s Balasore at 7 pm on Friday. At least 50 people were killed and over 350 injured in the horrific triple train accident and the death toll could rise as an unprecedented massive rescue operation involving 115 ambulances is underway.
Several coaches of the Howrah-bound 12864 Bengaluru-Howrah train derailed at Bahnagabazar and fell on the adjacent tracks. “These derailed coaches rammed into the 12841 Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express and its coaches also overturned,” a senior official said. The official said a goods train was also involved in the accident as coaches of the Coromandel Express collided with its coaches after the derailment.
hundreds of people injured
Over 350 people have been admitted to various hospitals across the district, officials said, adding that all private and government hospitals in adjoining districts, including state capital Bhubaneswar, have been put on alert. He said that so far 50 bodies have been pulled out from under the overturned coaches. A PTI reporter at the spot said several people were trapped under the derailed coaches and locals were helping emergency service personnel to rescue them, but darkness was hampering the operation.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav’s reaction
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said that he is leaving for the accident site. “Running to the scene in Odisha. My prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured and condolences to the bereaved families. Rescue teams have been mobilized from Bhubaneswar and Kolkata. NDRF, State Government teams and Airforce are also mobilized. Will do all we can to help.” Rescue operation,” he tweeted.
PM Modi, CM of Odisha review the situation
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said he has reviewed the situation and will visit the accident site in the early hours of Saturday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was distressed by the accident, and spoke to Vaishnav to take stock of the situation.
“Distressed by the train accident in Odisha. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. Wishing speedy recovery to the injured. Spoke to Railway Minister @AshwiniVaishnav & took stock of the situation.”
Rescue operations are underway at the accident site and all possible assistance is being provided to the affected people.”
Announcement of ex-gratia amount by Railway Minister, PM
PM Modi announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs. 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased from PMNRF and Rs. 50 thousand to the injured The Railway Minister also announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the dead and Rs 2 lakh for the seriously injured and Rs 50,000 for those with minor injuries.
rescue operation underway
Four units of Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), three units of NDRF and 115 ambulances are working to rescue the injured, officials said. He said that the estimated strength of these six teams is more than 240 personnel. NDRF Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Manoj Kumar Yadav told PTI that the teams are equipped with stretchers, gas cutters, lifting pads, first aid kits and other equipment and sniffer dogs. While a team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is based at its regional response center in Balasore and present at the accident site, five more people are being evacuated from Mundali in Cuttack district, about 100 km from the site, officials said. . At least 50 people were killed and over 350 injured in a horrific triple train accident involving Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express and a goods train in Odisha on Friday.
Bengal CM intervened
Expressing concern over the accident, which involved a large number of people from West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she was monitoring the situation along with the Chief Secretary and other officials. “We are coordinating with Odisha government and South Eastern Railway for the well being of our people. Our emergency control room has been activated immediately with numbers 033- 22143526/22535185.
All efforts have been initiated for rescue, search, aid and assistance.” West Bengal Chief Secretary HK Dwivedi said that a team led by state minister Manas Bhunia and MP Dola Sen is being sent to the spot.
Here is the list of canceled trains on the affected route
DRM Kharagpur tweeted helpline numbers:
DRM Kharagpur said in a tweet, Train No. 12841 UP Coromandel Express and Train No. 12864 Down Bahnaga Bazar have derailed.
Helpdesk opened at SHM, HWH, KGP and BLS.
- HWH – 03326382217
- KGP – 8972073925, 9332392339
- BLS – 8249591559, 7978418322
- Shm – 9903370746
Helpline numbers set up by SCR:
- 1. SCR Headquarters, Rail Nilayam, Secunderabad: 040 – 27788516
- 2. Vijayawada Railway Station 0866 – 2576924
- 3. Rajahmundry Railway Station: 0883 – 2420541
- 4. Renigunta Railway Station: 9949198414.
- 5. Tirupati Railway Station: 7815915571
“Around 7 pm, 10-12 coaches of the Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express derailed near Balasore and fell on the opposite track. After some time, another train from Yesvantpur to Howrah collided with those derailed coaches resulting in derailment of 3-4 of its coaches.” coach,” said railway spokesperson Amitabh Sharma.
Other helpline numbers-
- Howrah Helpline Number: 033-26382217
- Kharagpur Helpline Number: 8972073925 & 9332392339
- Balasore Helpline Number: 8249591559 & 7978418322
- Shalimar Helpline Number: 9903370746
Bhadrak helpline number regarding derailment: 7894099570 & 9337116973
reaction of congress leaders
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chief Rahul Gandhi expressed grief over the train accident in Odisha and urged party workers and leaders to extend all necessary support to the rescue efforts.
“Deeply saddened by the horrific train accident involving the Coromandel Express in Odisha. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims,” Kharge said in a tweet. “We urge the authorities to expedite rescue operations and provide relief to the injured. Request Congress workers to extend all possible help,” the Congress chief said.
Rahul Gandhi expressed grief over the sad news of the accident. Gandhi said, “My heart is with the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. I urge Congress workers and leaders to extend all assistance necessary for the rescue efforts.”
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said in a tweet in Hindi: “Received the sad news of the train accident in Balasore, Odisha. My deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. Praying to God for the speedy recovery of all the injured.” He appealed to all Congress workers to extend all possible help in the relief work.
Tamil Nadu CM Stalin calls Naveen Patnaik
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Friday spoke to his Odisha counterpart Naveen Patnaik after the accident and announced that he was deputing a four-member panel to coordinate the rescue of Tamils on the train. Patnaik and said that the details shared by the latter about the accident were “alarming”. The Chief Minister also condoled the loss of lives in the accident.
He said, “I have asked Transport Minister SS Shivshankar and 3 IAS officers to go to Odisha to rescue the Tamils involved in the accident. Instructed to set up a helpline.” Later, a state government release said that Stalin offered Patnaik medical assistance to the injured, and medical teams and other assistance to Odisha if required.
Tamil Nadu government helpline numbers are: 1070 (toll-free), 94458 69843, 94458 69848 (Whatsapp) and 044-28593990.