Balasore Train Accident: How 3 trains derailed, crashed at same place in Odisha

NewsBharati    03-Jun-2023 10:18:59 AM
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New Delhi, June 3: Balasore Train Accident: A massive train accident involving three trains - Bengaluru-Howrah superfast express, Coromandel Express, and a goods train - at Bahanagar in Odisha’s Balasore district on Friday evening has at left least 238 people dead and about 900 injured in Odisha. The toll could go up as bodies were still being recovered while the Odisha government and Tamil Nadu ordered a state mourning on Saturday canceling all events.
Odisha train accident

How three trains derailed and crashed-

  • Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express was on its way to Howrah when several coaches derailed and fell on the adjacent tracks.

  • Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, on its way to Chennai, collided with the derailed coaches of the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express.

  • The derailed coaches of the Coromandel Express then hit the wagons of a goods train.

  • These three accidents took place near the Bahanga Baazar station in the Balasore district, 250km south of Kolkata and 170km north of Bhubaneswar.

  • Officials said Bengaluru-Howrah superfast which was on the down line derailed at 6.55pm, and Coromandel on the up line derailed at 7pm. This means it happened in matter of minutes.

A Twitter user in a thread explained how he escaped this horrifying crash. "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...Not to exaggerate but I have myself witnessed more than 200-250 deaths. Families crushed away, limbless bodies and a bloodbath on the train tracks. It was a sight that I will never forget. God help the families. My condolences," Anubhav Das tweeted.

 

Massive rescue operation

 
Expressing distress over the incident, PM Narendra Modi said rescue operations were underway at the site and all possible assistance was being given to those affected.
 
The NDRF reached the accident site within hours and more teams were being pressed into the rescue operation, Home Minister Amit Shah said.
 
A rescue force of around 700 personnel worked at the site throughout the night. And more than 50 ambulances and 50 doctors were sent to the accident spot, the district administration said.
 
 
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the deceased, Rs 2 lakh for those grievously injured and Rs 50,000 for those who sustained minor injuries. He reached the spot and supervised the rescue operation.
 
 
 
"A detailed high-level inquiry will be conducted and the rail safety commissioner will also do an independent inquiry," Vaishnaw said on Saturday. He added, "Our focus is on rescue and relief operations. Restoration will begin after clearance from the district administration".
 

Locals saving lives

 
After the horrific train accident, people queued up to donate blood for the injured in Balasore. Policemen and locals have been volunteering to donate blood at this and many hospitals through the night, said officials. 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.
 
 
Chief Secretary Jena thanked the volunteers who donated blood to the accident victims in their hour of need. "Five hundred units of blood collected overnight here at Balasore. Nine hundred units in stock at present. This will help in treating the accident victims. I'm personally indebted & grateful to all the volunteers who've donated blood for a noble cause," Jena tweeted.
Balasore Train Accident Odisha Balasore Bengaluru-Howrah superfast express Coromandel Express a goods trainBahanagar