A devastating triple train crash in Odisha's Balasore district on Friday evening resulted in at least 233 fatalities and over 900 injuries, officials confirmed. The collision involved the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, and a goods train. As a result of the tragic incident, eighteen long-distance trains were cancelled, and seven trains were diverted via the Tatanagar station. Authorities have urged passengers to check the status of their train before travelling by visiting the Indian Railways website or by calling the Indian Railways helpline number.
Following Trains Have Been Cancelled:
- 12837 Howrah-Puri Superfast Express
- 12863 Howrah-Bengaluru Superfast Express
- 12839 Howrah-Chennai Mail
- 12895 Howrah-Puri Superfast Express
- 20831 Howrah-Sambalpur Express
- 02837 Santragachi-Puri Express
Following Trains Have Been Diverted:
12841 Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express will be diverted via Kharagpur-Tata-Jharsuguda-Sambalpur City-Cuttack.
18477 Puri-Yog Nagri Rishikesh (leaving Puri on 20.11. 2022) will be diverted via Sambalpur City-Jharsuguda Road-IB instead of Jharsuguda.
Collision And Derailment
Eyewitnesses described the harrowing scene near the Bahanaga Baazar station as coaches from the 12864 Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express derailed and fell onto adjacent tracks. The derailed coaches collided with the 12841 Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, causing its coaches to also capsize. Furthermore, a goods train became involved as some of the derailed coaches of the Coromandel Express collided with its wagons.
Following the tragic train crash, the Indian Railways and the Odisha government have taken swift action to provide support to the victims and their families. Helpline numbers have been established to assist those affected by the incident. Additionally, ex gratia compensation has been announced by the railways and the Prime Minister's Office. Here's what you need to know about the helpline numbers and the support available:
Railway Helpline Numbers:
- Howrah: 033-26382217
- Kharagpur: 8972073925
- Balasore: 8249591559
- Chennai: 044-25330952
Odisha Government Helpline:
The Odisha government has set up a helpline number for further assistance: 06782-262286
Ex Gratia Compensation:
The Indian Railways has announced the following compensation for the victims of the train crash:
- Rs 10 lakh for the deceased
- Rs 2 lakh for those grievously injured
- Rs 50,000 for those with minor injuries
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his distress over the accident and announced additional ex gratia compensation from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF):
- Rs 2 lakh for the deceased
- Rs 50,000 for the injured