The death toll in the devastating train derailment in Odisha’s Balasore district has tragically increased to 288, with approximately 800 people sustaining injuries, according to the South Eastern Railway (SER). The incident, which occurred on Friday evening, involved the Coromandel Express and SMVT-Howrah Super Fast Express, resulting in one of the most severe railway accidents in the country in over two decades.
In response to the tragedy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally visited the accident site on Saturday to assess the rescue and relief operations and meet with survivors. He assured the public that the injured would receive the best medical treatment available and vowed that those responsible for the mishap would not escape justice.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vishnaw also announced a comprehensive high-level inquiry to be conducted by the rail safety commissioner, aiming to determine the causes behind the derailment and hold accountable those found responsible.
The SE Railway released a bulletin reporting that the accident relief teams, equipped with medical personnel and supplies, were promptly dispatched to the site from Kharagpur and Bhadrak. The casualties currently stand at 288, with 56 individuals sustaining serious injuries and 747 with minor injuries, all of whom have been transported to hospitals for treatment.
To provide support to the affected passengers’ relatives, the SER organized a special train from Howrah to Balasore. Restoration work is already underway, with the Railways making every effort to expedite the process. Additionally, a high-level inquiry by the Commissioner of Railway Safety, South Eastern Circle, has been ordered to thoroughly investigate the incident.
The initial investigation suggests that the Coromandel Express collided with a stationary goods train, causing the derailment and subsequent collision with the SMVP-Howrah Superfast Express on the opposite track. However, railway officials have emphasized the need for a detailed inquiry to explore all potential factors, including sabotage, mechanical error, or human error.
The images from the accident site depict the harrowing scene of the overturned coaches and the locomotive of the Coromandel Express perched on top of a goods train wagon. Rescue teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), worked tirelessly using gas cutters to extract survivors from the mangled coaches.
Since the incident, more than 200 ambulances and 30 buses have been mobilized to provide immediate medical assistance, as stated by Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena. The Railways has also announced the cancellation of several trains on the Chennai-Howrah route, which is one of the busiest routes in the country.
The nation mourns the lives lost in this tragic train accident and stands in solidarity with the affected families during this difficult time.
