Balasore, June 3: A tragic train crash involving the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, and a goods train has resulted in over 233 fatalities and approximately 900 injuries in Odisha, as confirmed by officials on Saturday.
The devastating incident, one of the deadliest train accidents in recent Indian history, occurred near the Bahanaga Baazar station in Balasore district. It took place around 7 pm on Friday, approximately 250 km south of Kolkata and 170 km north of Bhubaneswar. The collision caused several coaches of the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, en route to Howrah, to derail and fall onto adjacent tracks, according to an official.
The derailed coaches then collided with the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, causing some of its coaches to overturn. Additionally, a goods train became involved in the accident as certain coaches of the Coromandel Express, bound for Chennai, struck its wagons after derailing.
Odisha Chief Secretary PK Jena tweeted that the death toll had risen to 233 in the Balasore Train Accident. However, different versions of the incident emerged, and reconciling the details proved challenging.
In response to the tragic triple train collision, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik declared a one-day state mourning on Saturday. The state’s Special Relief Commissioner, Satyabrata Sahoo, stated that the injured victims were receiving treatment in various hospitals. All government and private hospitals in nearby districts, including the AIIMS in Bhubaneswar, have been placed on alert.
Rescue operations have been mobilized, with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw en route to the site. The Air Force has been called in to assist in the rescue efforts. The accident site has seen the deployment of 115 ambulances, 50 buses, 45 mobile health units, and 1,200 personnel. Bodies are being transported to hospitals using various vehicles, including tractors.
Witnesses described the scene as a mangled heap of steel, with locals rushing to help the victims and provide assistance. Blood donations and support poured in from the community, with over 500 units of blood collected overnight at Balasore Medical College and Hospital.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and announced additional financial assistance from the PM’s National Relief Fund. The railways also announced compensation packages for the affected, including an ex-gratia payment to the next of kin of the deceased.
The railway helplines and the Odisha government’s helpline have been made available for support and information. The situation is being closely monitored by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of West Bengal, as many individuals from the state were involved in the accident. A team from West Bengal, led by Minister Manas Bhunia and MP Dola Sen, has been dispatched to the site.
As a result of the accident, 18 long-distance trains have been canceled. The incident occurred on the Howrah-Chennai main line in the Kharagpur division of the South Eastern Railway.
