Odisha Train Accident Live News Updates: At least 288 people have died and over 900 injured in a massive train mishap on Friday, 2 June, after the Coromandel Express and the Bengaluru-Howrah Express derailed in Odisha’s Balasore.
Injured people taken to Medical College in Balasore, Soro CHC, Gopalpur CHC, and Khantapada PHC for treatment.
Rescue operations are still on.
Over 550 rescue personnel of the NDRF, ODRAF, and the fire services are said to be on the spot.
Several people are feared to be trapped inside the trains.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has ordered state-wide mourning for a day.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced ex-gratia of Rs 10 Lakh to the kin of those who passed away.
Action Should Be Taken Against Those Guilty’: Ajit Pawar
NCP leader Ajit Pawar, talking to the media on Saturday, said, “This is an unfortunate incident, the railway department should investigate it, and action should be taken against those who are guilty. Railways should give importance to the lives of the passengers. Earlier railway minister used to resign on such train accidents, but now no one is ready to speak.”
Odisha CM Reaches Balasore District Hospital
Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik arrived at the Balasore district hospital to meet the injured victims.
Heart-Rending’: Uttarakhand CM on Odisha Train Accident
“The train accident in Odisha is heart-rending. I pray to God that may the soul of the deceased rest in peace and the bereaved families have strength in this hour of grief,” says Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami.
Tamil Nadu Ministers Leave For Balasore
Tamil Nadu Ministers Udhayanidhi Stalin, Siva Shankar, and Anbil Mahesh reach Chennai Airport to leave for Balasore.
“Tamil Nadu CM has spoken to Odisha CM. I will update you after reaching the spot. Hospital facilities are also ready for Tamilians in Tamil Nadu who got affected by Train accident,” Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin told ANI.
Italian Embassy Expresses Condolences
The Italian embassy expressed condolences to the victims’ families after the crash.
Cutting Last Bogie To Rescue Victims
ANI reported that rescue teams are cutting the last bogie to rescue victims.
Rescue Operation Continue
Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena said that 7 NDRF, 5 ODRAF (Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force), 24 Fire Service Units, local police, and volunteers are continuously conducting search and rescue operations.
Tamil Nadu CM Arrives at State Emergency Operation Centre
Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin takes stock of the train mishap at the state emergency operation centre in Chennai.
Death Toll Rises to 288
According to Odisha State Revenue Minister Pramila Mallick, the death toll in the train crash has risen to 288 with over 900 injured.
Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik Reaches Accident Site
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik reached the accident site in Balasore on Saturday morning to take stock of the situation.
‘Bodies Being handed Over to Relatives’: Odisha Chief Sec
Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena on Saturday told ANI, “The identified bodies are either being handed over to their relatives or transported to their respective destinations after autopsy. Statutory procedure will be followed for the unidentified ones.”
‘Focus Now Is Rescue and Relief Operations’: Railway Min
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who reached the crash site on Saturday morning, told PTI, “Our focus now is rescue and relief operations. Cause of the train accident in Odisha will be known after probe.”
How Did It Happen: What We Know
According to Indian Railways Spokesperson Amitabh Sharma, about 10-12 coaches of Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express derailed near Odisha’s Balasore at around 7 PM. Some bogies fell onto the opposite track and crashed into a freight train present on the loop track. The train had started from West Bengal and was heading to Chennai.
Shortly after, another train travelling from Yeshwanthpur to Howrah dashed into the derailed coaches of Coromandel Express, and 3-4 bogies of that train also derailed.
One-Day State Mourning in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has declared a one-day state mourning following the massive train mishap.
Several Trains Cancelled/Diverted
Following the tragedy, several trains have either been cancelled or diverted. South Eastern Railway tweeted out lists of train alerting the public.
Helpline Numbers Issued
Howrah helpline: 03326382217
Kharagpur Helpline 8972073925, 9332392339
Shalimar Helpline: 9903370746
Balasore Helpline: 8249591559, 7978418322
Vijayawada Station: 08662576924
Rajahmundry Station: 08832420541
Help Line numbers set up by SCR:
1. SCR Hqrs, Rail Nilayam, Secunderabad: 040 – 27788516
2. Vijayawada Rly Station 0866 – 2576924
3. Rajahmundry Rly Stn: 0883 – 2420541
4. Renigunta Railway Stn: 9949198414.
5. Tirupati Railway Stn: 7815915571
Helpline numbers set up by SWR:
Bangalore 080-22356409
Bangarpet: 08153 255253
Kuppam : 8431403419
SMVB : 09606005129
KJM :+91 88612 03980