Odisha Train Accident: How Did It Happen?

At least 120 people have been killed and over 600 have been injured in a horrific triple train crash on Friday in Odisha's Balasore district.

The three trains involved in the accident are: Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express and a goods train.

"As per the latest information we have received at 11:45 pm, 600 people injured and they have been shifted to hospital...exact number of casualties is yet to be received...as of now the figure we have got is between 55-60 (number of casualties)," ANI quoted Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena in a tweet.

How did the accident happen?

According to officials, the Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express departed from Shalimar station at 3:20 pm and arrived in Balasore at 6:30 pm. Around 10 to 12 coaches of the train derailed near Baleswar and toppled onto the opposite track at approximately 7:20 pm.

At 6:55 pm, the 12864 Bengaluru-Howrah superfast express, travelling on the down line, rammed into the derailed coaches of the Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express. Three to four coaches of this train were involved in the accident.

Subsequently, in a distressing sequence of events, some of the derailed coaches from the initial collision were struck by the wagons of a goods train.

Another version says that several coaches of the 12864 Bengaluru-Howrah train travelling to Howrah derailed at Bahanaga Baazar, near Balasore and fell on adjacent tracks.

"These derailed coaches collided with 12841 Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express and its coaches capsized too," a senior official told PTI. A goods train was also involved in the accident as the coaches of the Coromandel Express hit its wagons after getting derailed, the official added.

Over 2,000 people gathered at the Balasore Medical College and Hospital in the night to help the injured, and many also donated blood. So far, 30 surgeries were done on the accident victims at the Balasore Medical College and Hospital, doctors told PTI.