Three-train crash in India's Balasore: PM Modi assures treatment of injured, says ‘guilty’ won’t be spared

As per preliminary findings, the Coromandel Express inadvertently entered the loop line. To facilitate rail operations and accommodate more trains, loop lines are built in the vicinity of stations. In order to handle full-length freight trains with numerous engines, they are typically 750 metres long. Such tracks travel a little distance before returning to the main line.
 

Pope Francis expressed his deep sorrow over the train mishap in India's Odisha which left at least 288 people dead and more than 900 wounded, and he sent his prayers and condolences. 

Anubhav Das, a young geology researcher and survivor of the tragic three-train crash involving the Coromandel Express, shared the harrowing details of the chaotic aftermath with AFP news agency.

Describing the scene as a "war-like situation," Das remembered the distressing sight of bloodied faces, severed arms, and injured passengers all around him.

The accident, which occurred late on Friday in India's eastern state of Odisha, has claimed the lives of at least 288 people, with hundreds more sustaining injuries.

According to media reports citing sources, the Indian Railways is investigating the possibility of a signaling error as the prima facie cause of the train derailments in Odisha, which tragically resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives. 

According to a coordinator, the rescue operation at India's Odisha train crash site is over, an official from the Balasore emergency control room told AFP.

The official further added that all deceased individuals and injured passengers have been successfully evacuated from the accident site.

PM Modi, who visited the victims of Odisha train tragedy expressed pain and vowed treatment for the injured. He also ordered thorough investigation and stringent punishment for the guilty. 

"It's a painful incident. Govt will leave no stone unturned for the treatment of those injured. It's a serious incident, instructions issued for probe from every angle. Those found guilty will be punished stringently. Railway is working towards track restoration. I met the injured victims," the prime minister said. 

As per ANI reports, PM Modi will visit the Balasore District Hospital where the wounded victims of the train mishap are being treated.

"I am distraught with the train accident in Balasore, Odisha. All of us, the people of Assam, pray to God for the departed souls to rest in peace and for the bereaved families to get the strength in this hour of grief. Our thoughts are with affected families," Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sadness at the "loss of hundreds of lives in a train accident in India."

"I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families who lost their loved ones in this tragedy. Prayers for speedy recovery of the injured," he said.

As per an AFP report citing Sudhanshu Sarangi, director general of the Odisha state fire department, the death toll stands at 288.

However, a report by PTI news agency citing a South Eastern Railway official said that the death toll in the accident involving the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express and a goods train in Odisha's Balasore district stands at 261.

NDRF Director General Atul Karwal has stated that over 300 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rescuers equipped with large metal cutters, canine squads, and heavy-lift equipment are actively involved in the search operation at the train accident site in Odisha.

"More than 300 rescuers divided into nine teams are working at the accident site. We hope to finish the search operation by this evening," said Karwal.

The preliminary report released by State Emergency Operation Center said that all injured or trapped individuals from the crash site have been rescued.

Referring to the rescue operation, it said that more than 100 Medical Teams with paramedical staff along with medicines were mobilised to the accident site for medical treatment. "Around 900 injured persons shifted to hospitals at Soro, Balasore, Bhadrak & Cuttack," it said, adding that free medical treatments to injured persons at Govt. & Private hospitals being provided

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the deadly triple train crash site in Odisha's Balasore later on Saturday. The PM will also visit the hospital in Cuttack where the injured are being treated. The crash is the deadliest of its kind in the world since 2004.

As the death toll rises, Indian PM Narendra Modi, as per reports, has convened a meeting to discuss the three train collision in Balasore.

The Odisha train crash according to available records is the fourth deadliest in India.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik reached the spot of triple-train accident in Balasore. He will take the stock of the situation along with railways minister Ashwini Vaishnav.

Senator Penny Wong, the leader of government in the Australian senate took to Twitter and expressed condolences for the victims of Odisha train tragedy. "We send our deepest sympathies following the devastating train crash in India's eastern Odisha state. Our thoughts are also with the many injured, and with the emergency personnel working to assist them," Wong wrote on Twitter.

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen took to Twitter and expressed condolences towards the victims of Odisha train tragedy. "Praying for everyone affected by the train accident in India. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families, and hope that rescue operations can save all those in need," she tweeted.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin declared one-day of state mourning and assured best possible assistance to his counterpart in Odisha, Chief Minister Navin Patnaik. 

India's railways minister Ashwini Vaishnav assured that the best possible medical treatment for the wounded. "A high-level committee has been formed to inquire about it," Vaishnav said.

The death toll from Odisha train tragedy has risen to 288, officials said.

Indian Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw has reached the site of the tragic Odisha train collision.
 

Officials in Bhubaneswar as per PTI report said that 115 ambulances, 50 buses and 45 mobile health units were working at the train accident site. 1,200 personnel are involved in the rescue efforts.

According to the news agency, bodies were being taken to the hospitals in all kinds of vehicles, including tractors.

Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena has said that death toll in the train tragedy has risen to 207. Those injured are now about 900.

The chief secretary was quoted by news agency ANI.

Pramila Malik, Minister of Revenue and Disaster has visited the accident site and taken stock of the rescue operations.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who hails from the state of Odisha, has rushed to his home state following the train accident.
Earlier, he tweeted his thoughts and prayed for all those who were caught in the deadly accident.

"Landed in Kolkata to the unfortunate news of the train mishap in Balasore. My thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones," he said.

"Wish for the earliest recovery and well-being of all, particularly those who are critically injured. Urge all those affected to stay strong. Leaving for Balasore," he said.
 

India's Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told news agency ANI that he had ordered a high level probe into the Odisha train accident.

"It is important to get to the root cause," he said.

Odisha state chief secretary Pradeep Jena has told AFP that more than 500 people have been injured.

"About 50 people have died and over 500 injured. Our top priority now is rescuing (the passengers) and providing health support to the injured," he said.

Here is the official statement issued by Government of India on Odisha train crash.

In the latest as reported by news agency PTI, at least 50 people were killed and more than 350 injured in a horrific triple train crash involving the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express and a goods train. 

Over 350 people have been admitted to different hospitals across the district, officials said, adding that all private and government hospitals have been put on alert in the nearby districts, including state capital Bhubaneswar. 

Helpline numbers: The Odisha government has issued helpline 06782-262286. The railway helplines are 033-26382217 (Howrah), 8972073925 (Kharagpur), 8249591559 (Balasore) and 044- 25330952 (Chennai). 

Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the ex-gratia compensation to the victims of this unfortunate train accident in Odisha. He said ₹10 Lakh will be given in case of death and ₹2 Lakh towards grievous and ₹50,000 for those who received minor injuries. 

The ceremony to flag off the inaugural Goa-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express at Madgaon station has been cancelled. 

PM Modi was scheduled to flag off the Goa-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express through a video link on Saturday morning while Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw was to remain present at Madgaon station for the ceremony.

But Vaishnaw was now heading for the accident site in Odisha and the ceremony was cancelled, officials said.

A report by ANI mentioned, at least 50 people died in 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. 

CM Naveen Patnaik arrives at the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) control room to take stock of the relief operation. 

He said, "I have just reviewed the situation about this truly tragic railway accident. I will be visiting the spot tomorrow morning." 

Reports have mentioned that a passenger train hit the derailed coaches of another train. 

Odisha government said that an additional rescue team of Odisha Fire and Emergency Service comprising 26 members with advance rescue equipment of Odisha Fire and Disaster Response Academy Bhubaneswar moved to the train accident site for rescue. 

PM Modi tweeted, "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 added. 

PTI news agency quoted officials as saying that 179 people have been injured, and around 50 feared dead. There's no official comment on causalities yet.  

Helpline numbers

Howrah Helpline Number: 033-26382217

Kharagpur Helpline Number: 8972073925 & 9332392339

Balasore Helpline Number: 8249591559 & 7978418322

Shalimar Helpline Number: 9903370746

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik has directed state minister Pramila Mallik and Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) to reach the accident site immediately.

Minister and SRC are heading towards the incident place.

Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner, Odisha, said that Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Odisha along with senior officers Hemant Sharma, Balwant Singh, Arvind Agarwal, DG Fire Services dispatched to the site to supervise arrangements in train accident.

Medical colleges and all hospitals in and around Balasore on alert.

SCBMC alerted too and three NDRF units; four ODRAF units and 60 ambulances have also been mobilised. 

A South Eastern Railway official said that accident relief trains have been dispatched to the spot. 

It was not immediately known how many people were injured in the accident.
The state government directed the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) to assist in rescue operations. 

Several people were injured after Coromandel Express derailed in Odisha's Balasore district in India.

Official said that the accident happened around 7.20pm (local time) near Bahanaga Bazar station when the train was on the way to Chennai Central station from the Shalimar station near Kolkata.