Odisha Train Tragedy: Death Toll Rises To 288, Number Of Injured Increases To 747 

Following the Coromandel Express accident, Railways has initiated a high-level probe into the incident which will be headed by the Commissioner of Railway Safety, South Eastern Circle. 

Death toll rises in Odisha train tragedy ( Image Source :PTI )

The death toll in Odisha train tragedy has risen to 288 while 747 people have been injured along with 56 in grievous condition, said the Indian Railways in a statement released a 2 pm on Saturday. Following the Coromandel Express accident which is suspected to have occurred due to the absence of 'Kavach' anti-collission system on the route, railways initiated a high-level probe into the incident which will be headed by the Commissioner of Railway Safety, South Eastern Circle. 

 Indian Railways spokesperson while talking to news agency PTI said, "AM Chowdhary, CRS, SE Circle, will inquire into the accident."

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday visited Odisha's Balasore where the triple train accident occurred and took stock of the situation. He also visited a hospital and met with the injured victims. The PM said those found guilty in the matter will be punished stringently. 

"It's a painful incident. Govt will leave no stone unturned for the treatment of those injured. It's a serious incident, instructions issued for probe from every angle. Those found guilty will be punished stringently. Railway is working towards track restoration. I met the injured victims," he said.     

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.

The 12841 Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express derailed at Bahanaga Bazar between the Balasore and Soro stations at around 7 pm, according to South Eastern Railway officials, reported PTI. Soon after, the 12864 Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express derailed at the same site.

Some coaches of the Coromandel Express fell on top of a stationary goods train in an adjacent railway track.

The Coromandel Express derailed first and 10-12 of its coaches fell on the line on which the Bengaluru-Howrah Express was travelling, forcing it to jump off the tracks.

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, said the Odisha health department.