Over 3,400 passengers were travelling in two trains, according to railways officials.
At least 288 people have been killed and over 1000 were injured in a horrific three-train collision. The crash involved the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, and a goods train.
The crash saw one train ram so hard into the other that carriages were lifted high into the air, twisting and then smashing off the tracks. Another carriage had been tossed entirely onto its roof, crushing the passenger section. Over 3,400 passengers were travelling in two trains, according to railway officials.
Here are the highlights on the Odisha train accident:
Odisha Train Accident Update:
95 ambulances each carrying 2 bodies were despatched in groups under pilot and protection in a green channel specially created for the purpose.
Odisha Train Accident: 260 Undergoing Treatment In HospitalsAltogether 260 people, who were injured in the triple train accident in Balasore, are currently undergoing treatment in various hospitals across Odisha, while around 900 have been discharged so far, health department officials said on Sunday.
Special Trains To Run Between Puri And Howrah For Stranded Passengers
East Coast Railway has decided to run three Special trains between Puri and Howrah to facilitate the passengers as after the recent derailment, train services have been affected in Bhadrak-Kharagpur Railway Section on Howrah-Chennai Main Line, an official statement said on Sunday.
Railway Ministry Seeks CBI Probe Into Odisha 3-Train Crash That Killed Over 270The Railways ministry has sought a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation into the three-train pile-up in Odisha's Balasore. More than 270 people have died in Friday's accident, which is being described as one of the worst in the country. Read
here.
"Dal Mein Kuch Kaala Hai": Mamata Banerjee On Anti-Collision Devices In Odisha TrainsWest Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Central government over the Odisha train accident, stating that 'Dal mein kuch kaala hai', we want the truth to come out". "When yesterday he (Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw) was present with me and I mentioned about anti-collision device, why didn't he open his mouth? 'Dal mein kuch kaala hai', we want the truth to come out," Mamata said while responding to a question about the interlocking system.
Rescue Operation In Odisha "More Or Less" Complete: Disaster Relief Force ChiefRescue operations have more or less been completed after the Odisha train accident that claimed 275 lives leaving more than 1,000 injured, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) said on Sunday. Director General of NDRF Atul Karwal told ANI, "The rescue operation is more or less complete. I don't think there is any other possibility to locate any live or dead victim in this wreckage. It has been checked a few times. Now I think train travel will become normal."
Mamata Banerjee Questions Odisha Tragedy Death CountWest Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday questioned the death figures given by the Ministry of Railways in the triple train crash in Odisha's Balasore, stating that 61 people from her state were dead and 182 were still missing. Ms Banerjee asked questions on whether Vande Bharat engines were up to the mark. "If from one state, 182 are missing and 61 are confirmed dead, then where would the figures stand?" she asked.
"PR Gimmicks Have Hollowed...":M Kharge Attacks Centre Over Train TragedyTaking to Twitter, Mallikarjun Kharge said, "Questions to the Modi government, after perhaps the most horrific train accident of independent India. Advertising and PR gimmicks have hollowed the working system of the government." He accused the Centre of not filling the vacancies leading to a "scarcity of manpower". "3 lakh posts are vacant in Railways, the posts of big officers are also vacant, the PMO recruits, why were they not filled in 9 years?" Mr Kharge questioned.
"3 Union Ministers To Camp In Odisha Till All Survivors Go Home"
Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Bishweswar Tudu said that till all the passengers are sent home safely, three Union ministers including Railway Minister Ashiwini Vaishnaw and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan will be camping in Odisha.
"Down main line made fit," says Railway Minister on restoration work
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw who took stock of the restoration work at the Balasore train accident site in Odisha on Sunday said that the "down main line restored".
"Down main line made fit at 12:05 hrs today," the Railways Minister said.
"We are working on restoring tracks," says Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday said that the rescue teams are working on the restoration of tracks after the tragic train accident in Odisha's Balasore.
Speaking to ANI, Dharmendra Pradhan said, "NDRF, ODRF and Railway teams have worked all night for the identification of the deceased and restoration of tracks. Union Health Minister has reached Odisha, he will visit hospitals and take stock of the situation. Many trains have been cancelled and diverted. We are working on the restoration of the tracks".
He said that the victims are being treated and more patients have been admitted in Cuttack as compared to other places.
Railway Board Official Explains Sequence Of Events Leading To Odisha Crash
The Railway Board today detailed the events leading to the catastrophic triple train accident in Odisha's Balasore on Friday night that killed at least 288 people and left over 1,000 injured.
The Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express was travelling from Chennai to Howrah and Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express was coming from Howrah. The signal was green on both the main lines. Coromandel Express was going at 128 kmph and the other passenger train was at a speed of 126 kmph. The limit is 130 kmph, hence none of them was overspeeding, Jaya Verma Sinha, Member, Operations & BD, Railway Board, said.
A signalling problem was detected, she said, adding that details will only emerge after further investigation.
Read moreCentral Helpline For Odisha Train Accident Information Goes Live
The Central government today issued a helpline number for those who were affected by the horrific Odisha train accident. While addressing media on how the crash occurred, Railway board said "139" is the helpline number for the family, friends of those who died or are stranded due to tragic train crash.
Read moreOdisha Train accident: Government says status of 8 Tamil Nadu people unknown
Of the 127 people hailing from Tamil Nadu who had reserved tickets in Coromandel Express, contact could not be established with eight people and the rest were safe, the state government said on Sunday.
As per information received so far on the train accident, no person from Tamil Nadu was killed or injured warranting treatment.
PIL filed in Supreme Court seeking probe by expert panel
A PIL has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a probe into the triple train accident in Odisha's Balasore by an expert panel headed by a retired judge of the apex court.
The Balasore train accident where two passenger trains and a goods carriage were involved claimed 288 lives so far while over 1,000 people sustained injuries.
The PIL also sought guidelines and directions for the implementation of the Automatic Train Protection (ATP) System called KAVACH Protection System in Indian Railways with immediate effect to ensure public safety.
Odisha Chief Minister briefs PM Modi on latest situation
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the phone and briefed him about the latest train accident situation, particularly the treatment of injured passengers.
Noting that doctors, medical students and other health care service providers are doing their best, Patnaik told the prime minister that all possible steps have been taken to save the lives of injured passengers in different hospitals of Odisha.
Stating that Odisha follows a policy that underlines 'Every Life is Precious,' Patnaik said that starting from the rescue operation to carrying injured to hospitals, and making arrangements for treatment, the state government leaves no stone unturned to save lives.
NDRF jawan on leave sent 1st accident alert, 'live location'
A on-leave NDRF jawan travelling on the Coromandel Express was perhaps the first person to alert emergency services about the train's accident in Odisha's Balasore before he joined initial rescue efforts, officials said.
The Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express entered the wrong track and hit a stationary goods train on Friday. Its coaches got scattered all around including on an adjoining track and another passenger train -- Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express -- coming at a high speed rammed into them and derailed.
The worst rail accident in India in nearly three decades has left at least 288 people dead and over 1,100 injured.
Probe Complete, Cause Identified: Centre On Odisha Crash That Killed 288
The cause of the catastrophic triple train collision in Odisha's Balasore, that claimed 288 lives and injured over 1,000 people, has been identified and will be revealed soon in a report, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Sunday.
In one of the most devastating train accidents in recent history, two passenger trains and a goods carriage collided on three separate tracks at Bahanaga Bazar Station in Balasore district on Friday evening, leading to the derailment and severe damage of 17 coaches. Read more
UN Secretary-General Guterres deeply saddened by loss of life and injury in Odisha train accident
United Nations, Jun 4 UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed sadness at the loss of lives in the tragic train accident in Odisha that has killed over 280 people and injured hundreds more. The crash in Odisha's Balasore district involving three trains is one of the worst rail accidents in India in nearly three decades.
Odisha Train Accident A Jolt To Railways' Plan For A Makeover: Experts
The three-train collision in Odisha that killed over 280 people has raised several questions about the preparedness of the railways as it undergoes a 2.4-trillion-rupee transformation with gleaming new trains and modern stations.
Read more"Not The Time To...": Ashwini Vaishnaw After Face-Off With Mamata Banerjee
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw last evening reviewed the restoration work at the train accident site in Odisha's Balasore.
At least 288 people have been killed and around 803 were injured in a horrific three-train collision. The crash involved the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, and a goods train.
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