Balasore train accident: Death toll crosses 230, More than 900 Injured in a triple train collision in Odisha’s Balasore, about 250 km south of Kolkata and 170 km north of Bhubaneswar around 7 pm on Friday.
The Odisha triple train crash, one of the deadliest train accidents in India in recent times, involved the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, and a goods train.
10 to 12 coaches of the Shalimar-Chennai Coromondal Express derailed and fell into the opposite track. Subsequently, the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express collided with the derailed coaches of the Coromondal Express, causing them to derail its three own coaches. A goods train was also involved in the crash.
The rescue operations are on, and all nearby hospitals and health centres have been put on alert. Four NDRF teams from Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, were dispatched to carry out the search and rescue operations. Also, 4 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force units, over 15 fire rescue teams, 30 doctors, 200 police personnel and 60 ambulances have been mobilised to the site.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirms a high-level committee will be set up to investigate the train accident.
Odisha Chief Secretary said the death count stands at more than 230, and around 900 people were injured in the accident that occurred in Odisha’s Balasore district.
The railway ministry has announced a compensation of Rs. 10 lakh to the kin of the deceased, Rs. 2 lakh to those seriously injured, and Rs. 50,000 to those who sustained minor injuries.
