In a devastating incident near Balasore district in Odisha, a train crash has potentially claimed the lives of over 100 people, while leaving at least 300 others injured. The incident occurred when the Chennai-bound Coromandel Express derailed, causing several coaches to topple onto the adjacent track. Subsequently, it was struck by the Howrah-bound Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, traveling in the opposite direction. The collision also involved a goods train. At present, rescue operations are underway, with a multitude of rescuers, medical professionals, and railway officials at the scene.
This heart-wrenching train crash near Balasore district in Odisha on Friday evening has emerged as one of the worst accidents suffered by the public transport system in nearly a decade. With officials on-site fearing that the death toll could surpass 100, and with at least 300 individuals rushed to hospitals, the gravity of the situation is painfully evident.
The incident unfolded as 15 coaches of the Chennai-bound Coromandel Express derailed near Bahanaga Bazar station in Balasore district at approximately 6:55 PM on Friday, with some of the carriages tumbling onto the neighboring track. Approximately five minutes later, the Howrah-bound Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express collided with the derailed compartments, having approached from the opposite direction. Additionally, a goods train was involved in the collision, according to officials.
In response to the catastrophe, the Odisha government promptly mobilized hundreds of rescuers and medical personnel, while railway officials rushed to the scene. As darkness fell, disaster relief teams tirelessly endeavored to extract trapped passengers from beneath shattered seats and crushed coaches, working diligently to navigate the mangled wreckage.
Located approximately 180 kilometers from Bhubaneswar, Bahanaga Bazar railway station became the site of this tragic event.
“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 the railway minister 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,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, expressing his concern.
Tragic Catastrophe: Deadly Train Collision in Odisha Leaves Scores Feared Dead
Although no official figures were released at the time of compiling this report, Odisha officials revealed that the death toll may have already exceeded 100 by midnight, with fears that it could rise further.Local news networks estimated the toll to be between 70 and 100 individuals.The Coromandel Express, renowned as the primary train link connecting Kolkata and Chennai, bore the brunt of the collision, with officials noting its passenger capacity of 1,516. Many of the victims, both deceased and injured, hailed from Bengal, including a significant number of migrant laborers.
“Our primary focus is now on rescuing those trapped inside the overturned coaches. Given the nighttime conditions, we have deployed artificial lighting to aid in the rescue efforts,” stated Satyabrata Sahu, the Special Relief Commissioner of Odisha.Pradeep Jena, the chief secretary of Odisha, reported that over 300 people had sustained injuries.”Ex-gratia compensation will be provided to the victims of this unfortunate train accident in Odisha. ₹10 lakh in the event of death, ₹2 lakh for grievous injuries, and ₹50,000 for minor injuries,” tweeted Ashwini Vaishnaw, the railway minister.
A statement from the Indian Railways explained, “Train no. 12841 Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express and Train no. 12864 Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express derailed near BahanagaBazar Railway station at around 18:55 Hrs. Immediately, Accident Relief Trains, Self-Propelled Accident Relief Medical Vans (SPARME), and Accident Relief Trains (ART) were dispatched from Kharagpur, Balasore, and Santragachi.”
Speaking to HT, a senior railway official expressed, “There is a lot of chaos at the site. An independent enquiry, as well as a Commission of Railway Safety (CRS) probe, will be initiated to investigate the cause of the accident.”
A tragic catastrophe unfolded near Balasore district in Odisha, as two packed express trains collided, resulting in a harrowing train crash that has left scores feared dead and hundreds injured. The incident occurred when the Chennai-bound Coromandel Express derailed, causing several coaches to topple onto the adjoining track.
Moments later, the Howrah-bound Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, approaching from the opposite direction, collided with the derailed compartments. Adding to the severity of the situation, a goods train was also involved in the collision. Rescue operations are currently underway, with a massive deployment of rescuers, doctors, and railway officials at the scene.
Devastating Train Collision in Odisha Claims Numerous Lives
The devastating train collision near Balasore district in Odisha on Friday evening stands out as one of the most tragic accidents experienced by the public transportation system in nearly a decade. With officials on the ground expressing grave concerns that the death toll could surpass 100, and with over 300 individuals rushed to hospitals for urgent medical attention, the magnitude of the disaster is deeply distressing.
As the incident unfolded, 15 coaches of the Chennai-bound Coromandel Express derailed near Bahanaga Bazar station in Balasore district at approximately 6:55 PM on Friday. Shockingly, some of the toppled coaches spilled onto the adjacent track. Merely five minutes later, the Howrah-bound Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, heading in the opposite direction, collided with the derailed compartments. Additionally, a goods train was involved in the catastrophic collision, as confirmed by officials.
In the wake of this heart-wrenching calamity, the Odisha government swiftly mobilized hundreds of rescuers and medical professionals, while railway officials rushed to the site to coordinate the response. With nightfall descending upon the area, dedicated disaster relief personnel worked tirelessly to extricate trapped passengers from the twisted wreckage, carefully navigating the scene of devastation to rescue those in need.