The Coromandel Express after derailing following a head-on collision with a freight train in which at least 350 passengers were injured and 50 killed. (Image: PTI)
The Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express derailed and collided with Bengaluru-Howrah Express trains, causing some carriages to crash into a freight train in Odisha’s Balasore district.
At least 50 people were killed and more than 350 injured in a three-track train accident on Friday in Odisha’s Balasore district involving Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express and a freight train.
Of the three trains involved, 12864 Bengaluru-Howrah and 12841 Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express were ultra-high-speed passenger trains, while a freight train was also involved in the accident.
What happened in the Odisha Balasore?
According to railway officials, at around 7pm near Bahanaga Baazar, Balasore district, 3-4 carriages of the Bengaluru-Howrah ultra-high-speed express derailed and fell onto the adjacent tracks.
The derailed carriages of the train then collided with the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, causing 10-12 of its carriages to overturn.
A freight train was also struck when derailed carriages of the Coromandel Express collided with its carriages.
The incident took place at approximately 7 pm, approximately 255 kilometers from Howrah. Around 300 injured people have been transported to nearby hospitals so far.
CPRO South Eastern Railway has stated that as a result of the unfortunate accident involving 12841 Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, carriages B2 to B9, A1 and A2 have overturned. In addition, the B1 carriage and locomotive have derailed, while the H1 carriage and GS carriage remain on the track, the official statement read.
In the case of the 12864 Bengaluru-Howrah train, a GS carriage was damaged while on the track. The rear GS coach and two bogies derailed and overturned, while the A1 coaches up to the engine remain on the rail, he said.
Emergency services personnel were being assisted by locals in the rescue operation as several people were trapped under the derailed wagons. However, the operation was hampered by the darkness of the surroundings, according to reports.
In an interview with CNN-News18, Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena expressed deep regret over the “unfortunate accident”. “We have received reports suggesting that the death toll is approximately 50, while the number of injured people is over 300,” he said. .
Rescue operations are currently underway and are expected to continue through the night. Four Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) units, three NDRF units and 60 ambulances were working to rescue the injured, according to official reports.
Balasore, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack and Bhubaneswar have been notified to inform all private hospitals comprising BIju Swatya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) to keep beds ready to receive patients from the accident site.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in a tweet that he was speedily on his way to the crash site. “Rushing to the site in Odisha. My prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured and my condolences to the bereaved families. Rescue teams mobilized from Bhubaneswar and Kolkata. NDRF, State Government. teams and the Air Force were also mobilized. It will take all the necessary hands for the rescue operations,” he said.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed deep concern over the accident, saying the government’s top priority is saving the lives of the injured passengers. The Chief Minister also visited the State Emergency Operations Center (SRC Office) in the evening to assess the situation.
Patnaik said he has reviewed the situation and will travel to the crash site early Saturday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was distraught over the accident and spoke to Vaishnaw to assess 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. I spoke to the Minister for Railways @AshwiniVaishnaw and he took stock of the situation. Rescue operations are underway at the crash site and all possible assistance is being provided to those affected,” he tweeted.