At least 275 people were killed and over 1,100 were injured in a horrific train derailment that took place on Friday evening at around 7 pm in Odisha's Balasore. The derailment of 10 to 12 coaches of the Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express caused them to fall onto the opposite track. Subsequently, the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express collided with the derailed coaches, leading to the derailment of three to four of its own coaches. The crash also involved a goods train, adding to the tragedy.
The railways on Sunday virtually ruled out driver error and system malfunction, indicating a possible "sabotage" and tampering of the electronic interlocking system behind the triple train accident. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the "root cause" of the accident and the "criminals" responsible for it have been identified.
Stay tuned for more updates:
Jun 05, 2023, 8:44 PM IST
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said today it was our focus to reach out to the families of the passengers of the Odisha Train Tragedy across the nation. ''Yesterday night the affected area was restored, and operations are normalising. Today it was our focus to reach out to the families of the passengers of the #OdishaTrainTragedy across the nation. I appeal to people nationwide to reach out to us at our toll-free numbers so that further process continues,'' he said.
According to reports, the Railway Board Chairman is likely to brief the PMO on developments on the Odisha train accident.
Jun 05, 2023, 8:34 PM IST
Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu: NDRF Jawan Venktesan NK who was onboard the Coromandel Express which derailed in Odisha narrates his ordeal, "I alerted my team about the accident...& helped people to get out from the train...I informed the Odisha NDRF team. Within 1-hour NDRF team was on the spot. The nearby civilians helped us a lot in providing food, water & first aid..."
#WATCH | Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu: NDRF Jawan Venktesan NK who was onboard the Coromandel Express which derailed in Odisha narrates his ordeal, "I alerted my team about the accident...& helped people to get out from the train...I informed the Odisha NDRF team. Within 1-hour NDRF… pic.twitter.com/kCmqR0ACha
"It took the NSG more than 10 hours to reach Mumbai in response to the dastardly 26/11 terrorist attack," says Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri as he corrects himself.
Jun 05, 2023, 5:22 PM IST
During 26/11 attacks, it took the SPG 10 hours to reach Mumbai....First, our PM visited Balasore train accident site, 3 Union mins were there too. Within 51 hrs of accident, railway lines were restored: Union minister HS Puri on Congress demanding Railways minister's resignation
During 26/11 attacks,it took the SPG 10 hours to reach Mumbai....First, our PM visited Balasore train accident site, 3 Union mins were there too. Within 51 hrs of accident,railway lines were restored: Union minister HS Puri on Congress demanding Railways minister's resignation pic.twitter.com/zlTnc1Uagz
Till normalcy returns in the train movement from Bhubaneswar, Puri & Cuttack railway stations for the stranded passengers free bus services will be available to Kolkata...: Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena
#WATCH | Till normalcy returns in the train movement from Bhubaneswar, Puri & Cuttack railway stations for the stranded passengers free bus services will be available to Kolkata...: Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena pic.twitter.com/5Pkd0UB6or
We will come to a conclusion on death toll today. We will bear all costs during process of identification of bodies & their transfer to destination, costs will be borne by CM fund: Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena on death toll, body identification& restoration work
Jun 05, 2023, 4:30 PM IST
I will visit Cuttack & Bhubaneswar again. On Wednesday, we will hand over cheques of ex-gratia amount and job letters to families of the victims of the Odisha train accident: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee
Jun 05, 2023, 4:29 PM IST
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee reacts on Railway Board seeking CBI inquiry into Balasore train accident, says "We want people to know the truth. It is not the time to suppress the truth".
#WATCH | West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee reacts on Railway Board seeking CBI inquiry into Balasore train accident, says "We want people to know the truth. It is not the time to suppress the truth". pic.twitter.com/hWUNRxZK7M
"The person (Syed Abdul Bhasa) from Kadapa is safe and we have already informed their family members. He is already in Hyderabad in his own house," Ambedkar told PTI on Monday.
Jun 05, 2023, 4:08 PM IST
There were two calls in search of a person from Kadapa and the other one from Khammam, he said.
Jun 05, 2023, 3:59 PM IST
The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) received two distress calls thus far pertaining to the Odisha train crash, out of which the whereabouts of one person were traced while police are on the lookout for another, said Managing Director B R Ambedkar on Monday.
Jun 05, 2023, 2:06 PM IST
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday cancelled her four-day trip to Darjeeling at the last minute to supervise the treatment and rehabilitation of passengers of the state who were injured in the triple train accident in Odisha’s Balasore, sources said.
Jun 05, 2023, 1:18 PM IST
"All 9 teams of NDRF who were working in Odisha's Balasore have been withdrawn," says Narendra Singh Bundela, IG, NDRF
Jun 05, 2023, 12:52 PM IST
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Odisha railway tragedy, saying all the empty safety claims of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw have now been exposed and the government must bring to light the real reasons that caused this grave accident.
Jun 05, 2023, 12:50 PM IST
So far 151 bodies have been identified. All bodies after the due process are handed over for transfer to the destination. Arrangements for free transportation of the bodies by hearses, dead body carriers till destination made by Odisha Govt: Chief Secretary, Odisha.
Jun 05, 2023, 11:50 AM IST
Five wagons of a goods train carrying limestone derailed in Bargarh. There has been no casualty. Police have already reached the spot.
Jun 05, 2023, 10:55 AM IST
Odisha is providing free bus services to the people who want to travel to Kolkata in view of the disruption of rail services due to #Bahanaga train mishap.
Jun 05, 2023, 10:18 AM IST
Howrah - Puri Vande Bharat Express crosses from Odisha’s Balasore where the deadly Train Accident took place on June 2.
#WATCH | Howrah - Puri Vande Bharat Express crosses from Odisha’s Balasore where the deadly #TrainAccident took place on June 2.
Indian Railways resumed train movement on the affected tracks within 51 hours of the accident. pic.twitter.com/myosAUgC4H
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Sunday that the immense support showed how connected the world was with India.
Jun 05, 2023, 8:12 AM IST
The first train on the section where the accident happened in Balasore started its journey at around 10.40 pm on Sunday, 51 hours after the horrific crash which killed 275 people.
Jun 04, 2023, 11:21 PM IST
Train movement resumes in the affected section where the horrific Balasore train accident happened that claimed 275 lives. Visuals from Bahanaga Railway station.
Both tracks have been restored. Within 51 hours the train movement has been normalised. Train movement will begin from now: Railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
Jun 04, 2023, 10:19 PM IST
The downline track is ready, major damages were in the upline track. In next few hours, we are expecting to restore. All investigations will be done parallelly. The railway team is working continuously: Aditya Kumar Chaudhary, Chief Public Relations Officer, Southeastern Railway on Balasore train accident
#WATCH | Balasore, Odisha: The downline track is ready, major damages were in the upline track. In next few hours, we are expecting to restore. All investigations will be done parallelly. The railway team is working continuously: Aditya Kumar Chaudhary, Chief Public Relations… pic.twitter.com/Y48jFjWvq2
Chief Secretary Odisha Pradeep Jena speaks on the revised death toll and restoration work which is currently underway in Balasore.
#OdishaTrainAccident | Bhubaneswar: Chief Secretary Odisha Pradeep Jena speaks on the revised death toll and restoration work which is currently underway in Balasore. pic.twitter.com/tKnkbbBzi5
28 out of 127 people who had booked to travel by train were Tamils. Out of which 21 were found to be fine. Rest are also fine confirmed by people who are with them. This accident should not have happened, the Union Government should find out what caused this damage and take appropriate action: Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Balasore train mishap.
Jun 04, 2023, 8:16 PM IST
We inspected the hospital where people are getting treatment after train accident. We got to know that no Tamilians were admitted at the hospital. None of the Tamil Nadu passengers lost their lives there as of now, all are safe: Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Balasore train mishap.
Jun 04, 2023, 7:57 PM IST
The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed his deep sadness over the loss of lives in the Odisha train accident on Friday. In a statement issued on Saturday by his spokesperson, UN chief Antonio Guterres extended his deep condolences to the families of the victims, "as well as the people and Government of India," UN news reported.
READ MORE
Jun 03, 2023, 9:53 am IST
Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin takes stock of the situation at the State Emergency Operation Centre in Chennai. “We're going there to enquire for details. Tamil Nadu CM has spoken to Odisha CM. I will update you after reaching the spot. Hospital facilities are also ready for Tamilians in Tamil Nadu who got affected by Train accident,” TN minister Udhayanidhi Stalin said.
Jun 03, 2023, 9:54 am IST
"The accident was unfortunate, and the rescue operation began shortly after the incident was reported to his ministry," the minister said, as quoted by ANI. The railway ministry has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 10 lakh to the kin of the deceased, Rs. 2 lakh to those severely injured, and Rs. 50,000 to those who sustained with minor injuries.
Jun 03, 2023, 9:54 am IST
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Saturday that he has ordered a high-level probe into the derailment.
Jun 03, 2023, 9:55 am IST
US State Department's Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA) condoles train accident in Odisha's Balasore. “Deeply saddened by the incident… our deepest sympathies to all those facing the loss of their loved ones,” it tweeted.
Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday declared a day of mourning after the horrific train derailment in Balasore on Friday evening killed more than 200 passengers and left another 900 injured.
Jun 03, 2023, 10:03 am IST
Singapre High Commission Simon Wong took to Twitter and expressed his sadness. "Deeply saddened to hear the news of the tragic train accident in Odisha, #India, leading to loss of lives and injuries to many. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and praying for a speedy recovery to the injured," he said.
Jun 03, 2023, 10:04 am IST
US State Department's Bureau of South and Central Asia Affairs (SCA) took to Twitter to mourn the loss of life. "Deeply saddened by a tragic train crash in eastern India with reports of many injured or dead. Our deepest sympathies to all those facing the loss of their loved ones," said the tweet.
Jun 03, 2023, 10:05 am IST
Pramila Malik, Minister of Revenue and Disaster has visited the accident site and taken stock of the rescue operations.
Jun 03, 2023, 10:05 am IST
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has ordered one day of state mourning over the train tragedy, said the state's Information & Public Relations Department. No celebrations are to take place on June 3 throughout the state.
Jun 03, 2023, 10:06 am IST
Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's office conveyed the PM's words. "I'm saddened by the loss of dozens of lives in a train accident in Odisha, India today. I extend deep condolences to Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji, Government, and the bereaved families at this hour of grief," said the tweet.
Jun 03, 2023, 10:07 am IST
As per reports, in the aftermath of the tragedy, people have been queuing up to donate blood in hospitals near the site of the accident.
Odisha | People queue up in #Balasore to donate blood after the horrific train accident in Balasore yesterday.
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.
Jun 03, 2023, 10:12 am IST
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.
Jun 03, 2023, 10:13 am IST
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.
Jun 03, 2023, 10:13 am IST
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.
Jun 03, 2023, 10:14 am IST
Taking to Twitter, Chief Secretary of Odisha Pradeep Kumar Jena shared that seven National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), five Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), 24 fire service units along with local police and volunteers are currently involved in the search and rescue operation.
#TrainAccident 7NDRF, 5 ODRAF &24Fire Service Units, local police, volunteers are working tirelessly in search and rescue.
The identified bodies are either being handed over to their relatives or transported to their respective destinations after autopsy. Statutory procedure will be followed for the unidentified ones, says Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena.
Jun 03, 2023, 10:18 am IST
Heartfelt and deepest condolences to the people of India and the families of the victims of the train accident in Odisha: Embassy of Italy in New Delhi
Jun 03, 2023, 10:18 am IST
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed his deep sadness and offered condolences to the families affected by the tragic train accident in Odisha. In a tweet, Vijayan conveyed Kerala's solidarity with Odisha during this challenging period.
Jun 03, 2023, 10:19 am IST
PM Modi has convened a meeting to review the situation in relation to Balasore Train Accident.
Jun 03, 2023, 10:25 am IST
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Saturday constituted a high-level committee under the aegis of IT Minister G Amarnath to visit the Odisha accident site involving three trains to help in the coordination of relief and rescue operations.
Jun 03, 2023, 10:26 am IST
Meanwhile, the Waltair Division of the East Coast Railways zone has set up three helplines at Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam for relief.
Helpline numbers have been set up at Visakhapatnam (0891 - 2746330 & 0891 – 2744619), Vizianagaram (08922 - 221202 & 08922 – 221206) and Srikakulam (08942 – 286213 and 08942 – 286245).
Jun 03, 2023, 10:28 am IST
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday expressed grief at the train accident that killed more than 200 people in Odisha.
Jun 03, 2023, 10:30 am IST
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will visit the train accident site in Balasore in neighbouring Odisha on Saturday, a senior official said. Banerjee, the official said, had a conversation with her Odisha counterpart Naveen Patnaik over the telephone in connection with the accident on Friday night.
Jun 03, 2023, 10:31 am IST
The West Bengal government has opened an emergency control room and activated two numbers 033- 22143526/ 22535185 from Friday night.
Jun 03, 2023, 10:34 am IST
Expressing distress over the train accident in Odisha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 2 said rescue operations were underway at the site and all possible assistance was being given to those affected.