Odisha Train Accident: CM Patnaik Announces Rs 5 Lakh Ex Gratia, US Prez Biden 'Heartbroken' By Incident. Top Points

US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden on Sunday expressed condolences to the victims of the train accident and said they were both heartbroken by the tragic news of the deadly train crash.

Rescue operation underway following an accident involving Coromandel Express, Bengaluru-Howrah Express and a goods train in Balasore district. ( Image Source :PTI )

New Delhi: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday announced an ex gratia for the victims of the horrific Odisha triple train accident, which claimed the lives of 275 passengers and left over 1,000 injured, reported news agency ANI.

The Chief Minister announced an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the kin of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh for those grievously injured from CM's Relief Fund.

The train crash, considered to be the fourth deadliest in India happened near the Bahanaga Baazar station in Balasore district, about 250 km south of Kolkata and 170 km north of Bhubaneswar, around 7 pm on Friday.

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden on Sunday expressed condolences to the victims of the train accident and said they were both heartbroken by the tragic news of the deadly train crash.

"Our prayers go to those who have lost loved ones and the many who suffered injuries in this terrible incident," said Biden, according to an official White House statement.

"The United States and India share deep bonds rooted in the ties of family and culture that reunite our two nations - and people all across America mourn alongside the people of India. As the recovery effort continues, we will hold the people of India in our thoughts," the statement added.

Latest updates on the Odisha train tragedy:

• Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya reached Bhubaneswar on Sunday to take stock of medical assistance being provided to the injured victims in the Balasore’s triple train tragedy.
  
  
• A team of medical experts from AIIMS Delhi will also visit Odisha’s train accident site along with medical equipment to provide treatment to more than 1,000 injured and 100 critical patients, reported ANI.
  
  
• Railway Ministry on Sunday said that more than a thousand personnel have been engaged in the restoration work along with more than seven poclain machines, two accident relief trains, and around four railway and road cranes were deployed to restore normal operations of trains after the tragic train accident.
  
  
• The rescue operation was wrapped up Saturday afternoon and restoration work started. The injured were admitted to four hospitals.
  
  
• A total of 1,175 injured were admitted to various government and private hospitals and 793 have, so far, been discharged after treatment.
  
  
• Preliminary investigations have revealed that a signal was given to Coromandel Express to enter the main line but it was taken off and the train entered the loop line, where it crashed into a goods train parked there. The Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express which was coming at high speed crashed into the coaches of Coromandel Express that had scattered on the adjacent track.
  
  
• "I do not have words to express my pain... No one would be spared and strong action would be taken against those found guilty. Instructions have been given to ensure proper and speedy investigation of the tragedy," PM Modi said after visiting a hospital where injured people are being treated.
  
  
• The railways have announced an ex gratia of ₹10 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased, ₹2 lakh for those grievously injured and ₹50,000 for those with minor injuries. Modi has announced an additional ex gratia of ₹2 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.
  
  
• Railways have initiated a high-level probe into the train that will be headed by the commissioner of railway safety, South Eastern Circle, officials said, according to PTI.
  
  
• The preliminary report on the tragedy said the three-way accident involved Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Coromandel Express and a goods train on three separate tracks at Bahanaga Bazar station in Balasore district.
  
  
• 17 coaches were derailed and severely damaged in the accident, trapping hundreds of passengers. Both passenger trains were at a high speed and it has been cited by experts as one of the main reasons for the high number of casualties.