Odisha Train Accident: 350 people injured, 50 dead as Coromandel, Bengaluru-Howrah Express derails in Balasore

Odisha Train Accident: 350 people injured, 50 dead as Coromandel, Bengaluru-Howrah Express derails in Balasore

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Jun 3, 2023 - 12:31
Odisha Train Accident: 350 people injured, 50 dead as Coromandel, Bengaluru-Howrah Express derails in Balasore

A Coromandel Express and a Bengaluru-Howrah train met with an accident in Odisha’s Balasore near Bahanaga station on Friday.

A three-way accident involving Bengaluru-Howrah superfast express, the Coromandel Express and goods train on three separate tracks occurred at Bahanagar in Odisha’s Balasore district.

As many as 350 people have been injured and over 50 people have died after the passenger train collided with a goods train in Balasore. The train runs from Kolkata’s Howrah station in West Bengal to Tamil Nadu’s Chennai.

According to NDTV, the two trains that collided are 12841 Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express and 12864 Yashwantpur-Howrah Superfast Express.

Fifteen coaches of the Coromandel Express came off the tracks while two others derailed.

National Disaster Relief Force and its state division have been deployed in the area and are currently trying to rescue trapped passengers while cutting through the debris to reach them.

Coromandel Express derailed near Bahanaga station in Odisha’s Balasore on Friday, said Chief Public Relation Officer (CPRO) Southern Railway.

According to CPRO Southern Railway, several bogies are reported to have derailed.

The Special Relief Commissioner’s Office said that teams have rushed to the spot for a search and rescue operation.

Balasore Collector has also been directed to reach the spot to make all necessary arrangements and intimate the SRC if any additional help is required from the state level, added Special Relief Commissioner Office.

CM Naveen Patnaik reviews situation

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik took a stalk of the situation soon after the accident occurred.

“I have just reviewed the situation about this truly tragic railway accident. I will be visiting the spot tomorrow morning,” he told reporters.

PM Modi offers condolences

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to comment on the situation.

“Distressed by the train accident in Odisha. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon. Spoke to Railway Minister @AshwiniVaishnaw and took stock of the situation. Rescue ops are underway at the site of the mishap and all possible assistance is being given to those affected,” he said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, “Shocked to know that the Shalimar- Coromondel express, carrying passengers from West Bengal, collided with a goods train near Balasore today evening and some of our outbound people have been seriously affected/ injured. We are coordinating with Odisha government and South Eastern Railways for our people’s sake.”

“We are sending a 5- 6 members team to the spot to cooperate with the Odisha government and railway authorities and to assist rescue operations. I am monitoring the situation continually personally with Chief Secretary and other senior officers,” she added.

Several trains cancelled

In view of the situation in Odisha’s Balasore, several trains have been cancelled to bring things under control.

Development Commissioner, Odisha said in a statement, “Since other trains will be stopped in districts falling on affected routes, Collectors have been asked to ensure that all the passengers stay safe. They have been told to provide them whatever facilities are required including water, sanitation, security, food etc at places where such trains may have stopped. Funds to be met from CMRF.”

With inputs from agencies

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