Odisha Train Accident HIGHLIGHTS | Coromandel Express Chugs Off From West Bengal For 1st Time Since Tragedy
Odisha Coromandel Train Accident LIVE: Follow this space to get the latest updates on Coromandel Train Accident where Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express derailed near the Bahanaga Station in Balasore
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The Coromandel Express started at its scheduled departure time of 3.20 pm from West Bengal's Shalimar to Tamil Nadu's Chennai for the first time since the June 2 three-train accident in Odisha.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday also distributed the ex gratia cheques to the families of the victims from West Bengal. The investigation into the cause of the accident has been undertaken by the CBI.
Meanwhile, the BJP and the Opposition have locked horns over the accident, with the latter demanding Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw's resignation.
West Bengal CM and former Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee arrives at the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, Odisha to meet the people who are admitted here after getting injured in Balasore Train Accident, as reported by the news agency ANI.
A 10-member CBI team reached the site of train accident in Odisha's Balasore on Tuesday as part of its investigations into the tragedy that took place on June 2 and resulted in death of 275 people, as reported by the news agency ANI.
After two hours of questioning, the CBI currently left the railway station.
"CBI team has reached the accident site in Balasore. Inquiry is being done," said Rinkesh Roy, Divisional Railway Manager, East Central Railway, as quoted by ANI.
"About 1,100 people were injured in the #BalasoreTrainAccident, out of which about 900 people were discharged after treatment. Around 200 people are being treated in various hospitals in the state. Out of 278 people who died in the accident, 101 bodies are yet to be identified, DRM ECR Rinkesh Roy, Bhubaneswar said, as quoted by ANI.
"Bhubaneswar Commissionerate Police has opened a help desk and control room at AIIMS Bhubaneswar near the mortuary to identify the dead bodies of Balasore victims. Dead bodies are also kept for identification in other medical colleges of Bhubaneswar and Capital Hospital," SK Priyadarshi Police Commissioner said, ANI reported.
FIR has been registered at Balasore Govt Railway Police Station against the unknown person under sections 337/338/304A/34 IPC & 153/154/175 Railway Act, 1989 following a complaint by Papu Naik, SI of Balasore GRPS.
The Railways has initiated a week-long nationwide safety campaign focusing on the signaling systems, especially the "double locking" feature, following the transfer of the investigation of the Odisha train accident to the Central Bureau of Investigation within a day.
CBI is all set to take responsibility for the tragic train accident today. The team will reach the accident site shortly.
After about 60 hours since the mishappening, both up and down lines have been restored. The goods train began on the down line at 11.30 pm last night. Since 5:35 AM On the upline, four passenger trains have gone from Howrah to Bhubaneswar. Puri Vande Bharat Express has crossed Bahanaga Bazar railway station including the Vande Bharat train. A speed limit has been imposed.
Both tracks have been restored. Within 51 hours the train movement has been normalised. Train movement will begin from now: Railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
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
260 people, who were injured in Balasore train accident, undergoing treatment at various hospitals in Odisha, around 900 discharged: Health department officials
UN chief António Guterres deeply saddened by the loss of life and injury in a train accident in Odisha: UN Spokesperson
Pope Francis condoles the loss of life in the Odisha train accident. "My prayer go to the many victims of the train accident that occurred two days ago (June 2) in India. I express my closeness to the injured and their families. May the Heavenly Father welcome the souls of the deceased into his kingdom," says Pope Francis as reported by Reuters.
Odisha: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw & Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan visit Srirama Chandra Bhanja Medical College & Hospital
The rescue operation is more or less complete. A total of 9 teams comprising around 300 rescuers are at the location right now: NDRF DG Atul Karwal
Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy directed the officials to pay ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakhs each to the kin of the deceased, Rs 5 lakhs each to those seriously injured and Rs 1 lakh each to those who sustained minor injuries, in addition to the financial help extended by the Centre: CMO
Railways claim that safety is their priority but even after such a major accident, responsibility has not been fixed yet. Action should be taken against those responsible: Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav said, as per ANI
In view of the disruption of train services caused by the Bahanaga train tragedy, Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik has announced free bus service to Kolkata from Puri, Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. The entire cost will be borne from Chief Minister's Relief Fund & arrangements will continue till the restoration of normal train services in the Baleswar route: Odisha CMO
Odisha triple train accident: “On Feb 9, a senior Railway official wrote in a report that there is need to maintain the inter-locking system of signals but the government didn't take cognisance of the report,” claims Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil.
“We demand that the Railway minister takes moral responsibility (for the Odisha train accident) and resigns,” says Congress leader Pawan Khera.
"The death toll is 275 & not 288. The data was checked by DM and it was found that some bodies have been counted twice, so the death toll has been revised to 275. Out of 275, 88 bodies have been identified": Odisha Chief Secy Pradeep Jena said, as per ANI.
We met the patients at Bhadrak Hospital. Almost all patients are in contact with their families. Doctors and staff are providing proper treatment to the injured. Track restoration work is underway: Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said as he and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan reached District Head Quarter Hospital in Odisha to meet the injured.
"Down mail line has been restored at 12:05 hrs today," tweets Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
We are investigating the cause of the incident, currently our focus is to provide the best possible treatment to the injured. Several people have lost their lives and I think the politicisation of such issues should not be done. The country needs to come together: Union Minister Anurag Thakur (ANI)
"We met the patients and doctors at Soro Hospital. Special trains are being run from Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, Ranchi, Kolkata and other places so that patients can reach their homes, after their treatment": Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan reached Soro Government Hospital in Odisha to meet the injured.
Central Government is going to take strict action against the person responsible for this accident: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday dialed Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw who is present at the site and took progress of the restoration work, ANI reported citing Railway ministry sources.
Odisha train accident: A team of doctors rushed to provide medical aid to injured, as reported by the news agency PTI.
CM Naveen Patnaik announces a compensation of Rs 5 lakhs each for the next of kin of those people from the state who died in the accident. Rs 1 lakh each announced for those with serious injuries: Odisha CMO
It is our responsibility to establish normalcy as early as possible. Restoration work is underway. Indian Railways is running free trains and logistic facilities are also being provided. The death toll has crossed 270. The inquiry for the cause is underway. We will take strict action against the persons responsible for this: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has written to PM Narendra Modi to express condolences on the Odisha train derailment: Simon Wong, High Commissioner of Singapore to India.
The root cause of this accident has been identified. PM Modi inspected the site yesterday. We will try to restore the track today. All bodies have been removed. Our target is to finish the restoration work by Wednesday morning so that trains can start running on this track: Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said as he inspected the restoration work underway, as quoted by ANI.
Former MoS Railways and Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury reaches the spot in Balasore where the horrific #TrainAccident took place.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has deputed Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury & AICC In-Charge A Chella Kumar to visit the train crash site in Odisha to take stock of the situation.
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya reaches Bhubaneswar airport. Mansukh Mandaviya will visit AIIMS Bhubaneswar and Medical College in Cuttack to take stock of medical assistance being provided to the injured victims, ANI reported.
All the passengers arrived are safe, 7 have minor injuries, and 2 have been sent to a hospital for taking X-ray. We are continuously monitoring rescue ops and CM Stalin is also monitoring everything via control rooms: Ma. Subramanian, Tamil Nadu Health Minister (ANI)
Our CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has given us instructions to help the injured in shifting the injured from one hospital to the other, a total of 10 ambulance vehicles have arrived here from Andhra Pradesh: Nazeer, Srikakulam District Manager, (108) Ambulance Services, Andhra Pradesh (ANI)
US President Joe Biden on Saturday said he is heartbroken by the tragic news of a train crash in India that has killed over 280 people.The crash in Odisha's Balasore district involving three trains is one of the worst rail accidents in India in nearly three decades. At least 288 people are dead and over 1,100 injured. (First Lady Dr) Jill (Biden) and I are heartbroken by the tragic news of the deadly train crash in India. Our prayers go out to those who have lost loved ones and the many who suffered injuries in this terrible incident, Biden said in a statement.The United States and India share deep bonds rooted in the ties of family and culture that unite 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, Biden said.
Restoration work is ongoing at the train accident site in Balasore, Odisha with 1000+ Manpower working tirelessly. At present, more than 7 Poclain Machines, 2 Accident Relief Trains, 3-4 Railway and Road Cranes have been deployed for early restoration: Ministry of Railways
We have received a total of 193 patients, out of which we have discharged 9 patients. For now, 7 patients are critical. The government has declared everything free of cost, from investigation to treatment...: Dr Bhubana Nanda Moharana, Emergency Medical Officer, SCB Medical College
Union Minister Anurag Thakur, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath along with other ministers observe silence to pay tributes to victims of Odisha train accident.
"Large number of passengers (who were travelling in the accident-hit trains) have already reached their homes after taking the compensation amount. Our objective is that trains can start operating in a normal way latest by Wednesday morning," says Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
288 dead bodies recovered while more than 1000 injured people have been admitted to different hospitals. Efforts are underway to clear the leftover wreckage of derailed trains from the track. Restoration work will continue throughout the night though weather is quite hot: NDRF DIG Mohsen Shahidi
Till now 1175 patients were admitted to private hospitals out of which 793 patients have been discharged while 382 patients continue to be in hospital among which 2 are critical, rest all are stable, says Odisha health department.
Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya will visit AIIMS Bhubaneswar and Medical College in Cuttack tomorrow to take stock of medical assistance being provided to the injured victims, reports ANI.
Odisha Cheif Secretary Pradeep Jena says the rescue operations are almost complete and the process has started for the last coach. Death toll stands at 288 and number of people injured has not increased and is over 1,000.
People with minor injuries have left the hospital for their places after treatment and around 800 bodies are in hospitals with some identified.
160 bodies have been moved to mortuary in different hospitals including AIIMS Bhubhaneshwar.
Tamil Nadu Youth Welfare and Sports Minister Udaynidhi Stalin and Transport Minister SS Shivsankar along with government officials met Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in state capital Bhubhaneshwar.
National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah demands a probe by an independent retired judge into the mishap.
"This is a very sad incident. More than 250 people have died. If one train met with an accident then how come the other two trains were not stopped, there must be some error that needs to be investigated by an independent retired judge," he says.
Deeply saddened to hear of the tragedy in Balasore. Our hearts go out to our partners in India. I will convey our condolences in person when I meet with senior leaders in India in the coming days: US Defence Secretary Llyod Austin.
Ministry of Civil Aviation sends an advisory to airlines to monitor any abnormal surge in airfares to and from Bhubaneswar and other airports of Odisha in view of #OdishaTrainMishap: Ministry of Civil Aviation, reports ANI.
Further, any cancellation and rescheduling of flights due to the incident may be done without penal charges, MoCA issues advisory
Death toll rises to 288, says Railways while 747 people have been injured along with 56 grievously injured.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi leaves a hospital in Odisha's Balasore after meeting with injured victims.
PM Modi reaches hospital in Balasore to meet with injured people.
Odisha's Director General, Fire Services, Sudhanshu Sarangi says, "A crane has arrived, we will pull up (coaches) one by one but we don't expect any survivors under them. We are disheartened, we had never seen so many bodies in our life.."
PM Modi spoke to Cabinet Secretary and Health Minister from the train crash site and asked them to ensure all needed help is provided to the injured and their families, reports ANI.
He also said that special care must be taken to ensure that the bereaved families don’t face inconvenience and that the affected keep getting the assistance they require.
“We saw bodies without heads, little children crying for help,” Anubhav Das traveling on the ill-fated Coromandel Express tells PTI.
BJP MP Varun Gandhi expresses his grief over the train mishap and urges MPs to donate a part of their one-month salary to the bereaved families to help them.
Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar condoles loss of lives in Odisha triple train tragedy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives is Odisha's Balasore at the site of the train crash.
Rashtriya Janata Dal chief and former Union railway minister Lalu Prasad Yadav alleges "major negligence" and blames Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre for the accident.
"...The manner in which they showed negligence & didn't show alertness led to such a large number of casualties...There should be a high-level inquiry and action should be taken against those responsible for it...There was major negligence, they have destroyed Railways..." he says.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has deputed Lok Sabha Leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and AICC In-Charge A Chella Kumar to immediately visit the train crash site in Odisha to take stock of the situation and oversee relief efforts being undertaken by INC workers and frontal organisations: Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal
The Coromandal Express train met with an accident and dashed with stationery goods train at Bahanaga Bazar station. The train was going at full speed as it was not supposed to stop at the station. The impact was such that its 21 coaches derailed with its 3 coaches infringing on the other line (Dn line). Simultaneously, Yeshwantpur-Howrah Express was passing through Bahanaga Bazar station and collided, with its rearmost 2 coaches derailed, ANI reported citing govt sources.
There were about 1257 reserved passengers onboard Coromandal Express and 1039 reserved passengers onboard Yashwantpur Express, it added.
I am most pained and anguished by the terrible train disaster in Odisha. I extend my deepest sympathy and condolences to all the bereaved families: Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson, Congress Parliamentary Party
Türkiye extends its condolences to the relatives of those who lost their lives in Balasore Train Accident as well as to people and Government of India and wish a speedy recovery to the injured.
Taliban government in Kabul extended condolences stating, "MoFA sympathies with the bereaved families of the victims and the injured."
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee reaches Odisha's Balasore where a collision between three trains left 261 dead
"I am deeply saddened by the news of the loss of many precious lives and the injuries in the train accident in the State of Odisha. On behalf of the Government of Japan and people, I would like to express our heartfelt condolences to those who lost their lives and their bereaved families. I also pray for the speedy recovery of those who were injured": Message of condolences from Japanese PM Fumio Kishida to PM Narendra Modi
Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the deceased from Tamil Nadu and Rs 1 lakh each to the injured will be given by Tamil Nadu Govt. Additional officers have been appointed to carry out rescue and relief work, announces Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and BJP MP from Balasore Pratap Sarangi meet the injured at the hospital in Balasore, Odisha.
PM Narendra Modi will go to Odisha today. First, he will visit the site of the accident in Balasore and then he will visit the hospital in Cuttack, ANI reported Sources as saying.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has convened a meeting to review the situation in relation to the rail accident, ANI reported quoting Govt of India Sources.
Indian Army has been deployed to assist in the evacuation and treatment of injured citizens. Army medical and engineering teams with ambulances & support services have been deployed from the Eastern Command. The teams have been routed from multiple bases so as to reach the place of the incident as early as possible: Indian Army
As per the information received till now, there are 238 casualties. Around 650 injured passengers have been taken to the Hospitals of Gopalpur, Khantapara, Balasore, Bhadrak and Soro: South Eastern Railway said.
On behalf of the U.S. Mission in India, I extend our deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the tragic train accident in Balasore. We stand with India and the people of Odisha in this time of grief: U.S. Ambassador in India tweeted.
"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," Taiwain President tweeted.
7 NDRF, 5 ODRAF (Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force) & 24 Fire Service Units, local police, and volunteers are working tirelessly in search and rescue: Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena
Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin takes stock of the situation at the State Emergency Operation Centre in Chennai, ANI reported.
Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik takes stock of the situation at the accident site in Balasore. More On It: Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik Visits Balasore Train Accident Site, Speaks To Officials With Rail Minister
Odisha and Tamil Nadu will observe a one-day state mourning today to mourn the lives lost in this tragic accident.
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw takes stock of the situation at the accident site in Balasore where search and rescue operation is underway. "It's a big tragic accident. Railway, NDRF, SDRF, and State govt are conducting the rescue operation. Best possible healthcare facilities will be provided. Compensation was announced yesterday. A high-level committee has been formed to inquire about it," he said, as per ANI.
" Our focus is on rescue and relief operations. Restoration will begin after clearance from district administration. A detailed high-level inquiry will be conducted and the rail safety commissioner will also do an independent inquiry," he added.
"We are continuously engaged (in rescue operations) since last night. More columns (of army) are coming from Kolkata," says Colonel SK Dutta, Indian Army said, as per ANI.
Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal expresses condolences for Odisha train tragedy. "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," he tweeted.
People queue up in Balasore to donate blood after the horrific train accident in Balasore yesterday, ANI reported.
As per officials, as of now 233 people have died and around 900 are injured.
Sukanta Majumdar, West Bengal BJP chief on train accident in Odisha's Balasore, said that the party will extend all its help.
"We will visit the accident spot, we stand by the victims...will provide all the help possible," he said.
Sudhanshu Sarangi, Director General of Odisha Fire Services, stated that the recovery teams have found over 120 bodies, and the death toll may rise further.
The Ministry of Railways issued an official statement on the Coromondel Express accident late Friday night. According to a press release published by the Press Information Bureau, "Train No. 12841 Coromandal Express (Howrah- Chennai) derailed this evening near Bahanaga bazaar station. The 12864 SMVB-HWH Superfast Exp (Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal-Howrah) train also derailed at Bahanaga bazaar station. Bahanaga Bazar railway station is located in the Balasore district of Odisha on the Kharagpur-Puri line, which is part of the Howrah-Chennai main line under the Kharagpur railway division of the South Eastern Railway zone. Accident Relief Trains (ART), Self Propelled Accident Relief Medical Vans (SPARME), and Accident Relief Trains (SPARME) were immediately ordered from Kharagpur, Balasore, and Santragachi."
The death toll has reached to 70 while over 350 have been reported injured, say officials.
PM Modi announces ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the kin of the deceased in the train accident in Odisha and Rs 50,000 to the injured.
“Tamil Nadu Railway police is making all arrangements to coordinate between the railways and the administration. We will also provide assistance to the families of the injured people, when they contact us,” says ADGP Sandeep Mittal.
Since other trains will be stopped in districts falling on affected routes, Collectors have been asked to ensure that all the passengers stay safe. They have been told to provide them whatever facilities are required including water, sanitation, security, food etc at places where such trains may have stopped. Funds to be met from CMRF: Development Commissioner, Odisha
Mumbai-Goa Vande Bharat train inaugural event scheduled tomorrow cancelled in view of train accident.
The train accident in Balasore, Odisha is very sad and heart breaking. My condolences are with the bereaved families. Praying to Lord Shri Ram for the speedy recovery of the injured: Yogi Adityanath
Injured passengers rushed to a district hospital in Balasore, Odisha.
Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announces ex-gratia compensation of Rs 10 lakhs in case of death of accident victims and Rs 2 lakhs for those with grievous injuries and Rs 50,000 for those with minor injuries.
Anguished by the tragic news of the accident involving the Coromandel Express, in Balasore, Odisha," tweets Congress leader Rahul Gandhi
Kolkata: In view of the derailment of Coromandel Express, Sealdah - Puri Duronto Express scheduled to leave Sealdah at 8 pm on June 2, has been cancelled: Eastern Railway
There have been casualties but we haven't yet counted. It was such a violent train accident involving three trains - two passenger trains and one goods train: Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena
Deeply anguished to know about the loss of lives in an unfortunate rail accident in Balasore, Odisha. My heart goes out to the bereaved families. I pray for the success of rescue operations and quick recovery of the injured: President Droupadi Murmu
"Deeply anguished by the loss of lives in a train accident in Balasore, Odisha," tweets Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar
"Rushing to the site in Odisha. My prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured and condolences to the bereaved families. Rescue teams mobilised from Bhubaneswar and Kolkata. NDRF, State govt. teams and Airforce also mobilised. Will take all hands required for the rescue ops," Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
"Deeply saddened by the terrible train tragedy involving Coromandel Express in Odisha. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims. We urge the authorities to expedite rescue operations & provide relief to the injured. Request Congress workers to provide all possible help," tweets INC President Mallikarjun Kharge
The train accident at Balasore in Odisha is deeply agonizing. The NDRF team has already reached the accident site, and other teams are also rushing to join the rescue operation. My condolences to the bereaved families and praying for the speedy recovery of those injured," tweets Union Home Minister Amit Shah
I have just reviewed the situation about this truly tragic railway accident. I will be visiting the spot tomorrow morning: Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik
Mamata Banerjee is in constant touch with Pattnaik. WB govt has sent a team to help in rescue and relief ops.
Odisha CM Naveen Pattnaik reaches control room to take stock of rescue and relief operations.
Additional rescue team of Odisha Fire and Emergency Service comprising 26 members with advance rescue equipment of Odisha Fire and Disaster Response Academy Bhubaneswar moved to the train accident site for rescue: Odisha Government
"Distressed by the train accident in Odisha. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon. Spoke to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and took stock of the situation. Rescue ops are underway at the site of the mishap and all possible assistance is being given to those affected," PM Narendra Modi tweeted.