High-Level Committee To Probe Balasore Train Accident: Railways Minister Takes Stock Of Rescue Ops

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw visited the Balasore train accident site to take stock of the situation and said that a detailed high-level inquiry will be conducted into the matter.

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday visited the accident site in Balasore site where three trains collided resulting in the death of 233 people and more than 900 injured. While talking to the media about the incident, he said that a detailed high-level inquiry will be conducted and the rail safety commissioner will also do an independent inquiry. He took stock of the situation and said that the government's focus is on rescue and relief operations.

"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," the Railways Minister said, as per news agency 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.

He thanked the NDRF officials who are actively engaged in the search and rescue operation.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan left for Odisha's Balasore while cutting short his visit to Kolkata. He is expected to reach the spot in a few hours, reported ANI.

Earlier in the day, Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar visited the injured in the Coromondel Express tragedy at Fakir Mohan Medical College and Hospital in Balasore. TMC MP Dola Sen also visited the spot and said that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee might come to visit the people on Sunday. She added that the CM has sent her officials, doctors, and trauma ambulance from Kharagpur for now.

Three Trains Collide

Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express was on its way to Howrah when several coaches derailed and fell on the adjacent tracks. Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express was on its way to Chennai when it collided with the derailed coaches of the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express. The derailed coaches of the Coromandel Express then hit the wagons of a goods train.

As per the information received from Kharagpur Divisional Railway Manager, the Shalimar-Howrah Coromandel Express was derailed at Bahanaga station at around 6:51 pm, while the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast train derailed at the same spot at 6:55 pm.