Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw ordered a high-level probe into the Coromandel Express Derailment in Odisha’s Balasore yesterday night. Mr. Vaishnaw said the accident was unfortunate and the rescue operation began soon as the Ministry came to know of it. The railway authorities have controlled several trains at different stations in the wake of a mishap, he added. Besides, the Railways cancelled and diverted certain trains following the incident.
The death toll of the tragic train accident in Balasore’s Bahanaga station in Odisha has risen to 233 and more than 900 are feared critically injured. Informing this, Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena said the death and causality toll would increase as rescue operations were underway at the site. Rescue teams have been mobilised from Odisha and West Bengal, including Defence forces, NDRF and ODRF teams. The Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik ordered State mourning for a day today. He will reach the accident site this morning. The collision occurred at about 7 pm yesterday when Shalimar-Howrah Coromandel Express derailed at Bahanaga station after colliding with a goods train. Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast train also derailed after a few minutes at the same spot. Sources said as many as 15 to 17 coaches were damaged in the derailment.
Odisha Special Relief Commissioner’s office released an emergency control room number, 6782262286, for information and help relating to the mishap. Besides, the railways has released four helpline numbers: For Howrah – 03326382217, Kharagpur – 8972073925, 9332392339, Balasore – 8249591559, 7978418322, and Shalimar – 9903370746.
President Droupadi Murmu has expressed grief over the loss of lives in the unfortunate rail accident in Balasore. She prayed for the success of rescue operations and the quick recovery of the injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that he is distressed over the train accident in Odisha. Mr. Modi said, in this hour of grief, his thoughts are with the bereaved families. Home Minister Amit Shah has said that the train accident is deeply agonizing. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an Ex-gratia of two lakh rupees from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the next of kin of each deceased in the train mishap. He said, the injured will be given 50 thousand rupees. Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced Ex-gratia for the accident victims. He said, ten lakh will be given in case of deaths, two lakh rupees towards grievous injuries and 50 thousand rupees for minor injuries.
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