Prime MInister Narendra Modi today visited the accident site and the survivors of the train tragedy in Odisha that claimed the lives of 288 people. More than 800 people were injured when a passenger train hit the derailed coaches of another train Friday evening. "I don't have words to express my sorrow. The government will do everything to help those injured. If anyone is found responsible for the accident, they will be severely punished," he said.
The crash, one of the deadliest in India in recent times, involved the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, and a goods train.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has declared one-day state mourning in view of the horrific train crash.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced compensation of ₹ 10 lakh for those who have died, ₹ 2 lakh for those seriously injured and ₹ 50,000 for those who sustained minor injuries in the accident.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi too expressed his distress over the accident, and announced a compensation of ₹ 2 lakh for the family of the dead and ₹ 50,000 for the injured from the PM's National Relief Fund (PMNRF).
Here are the updates on Odisha train accident:
After taking stock of the Odisha train crash from ground zero, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday lauded all the people who are providing assistance in the relief operation.
In a tweet, PM Modi said, "Took stock of the situation at the site of the tragedy in Odisha. Words can't capture my deep sorrow. We stand committed to providing all possible assistance to those affected. I laud all those working round the clock, on the ground and helping out in relief work."
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached the train crash site in Odisha's Balasore. He was accompanied by Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday commended the members of rescue teams for their work after the three-train crash in Odisha and also praised people's courage and compassion.
In his tweets, he also expressed gratitude to world leaders for their condolence messages.
"Deeply moved by the condolence messages from world leaders on the train mishap in Odisha. Their kind words will give strength to the bereaved families. Gratitude for their support," he said.
Asserting that the then Union Railway Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri tendered his resignation when an accident took place, Nationalist Congress Party Chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday demanded Ashwini Vaishnaw's resignation.
As many as 178 reserved passengers with Andhra Pradesh destinations were travelling in the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express train, out of which 110 passengers were from Vishakhapatnam who met with a train accident in Odisha, a senior railway official said here on Saturday.
Speaking to ANI, Vishakhapatnam Waltair Division Railway Manager Anup Kumar Sathapathy said, "Total reserved passengers in 12841 Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express train, travelling to Andhra Pradesh destinations were 178, out of which 110 were from Visakhapatnam. Remaining general passengers are being identified."
Around 90 trains were cancelled, mostly in the Southern and South Eastern Railway Zones, while 46 were diverted and 11 short-terminated following the three-train accident in Odisha's Balasore on Friday in which 288 people were killed.
According to the latest data released by the two zones, the South Eastern Railway cancelled trains such as the Chennai-Howrah Mail, the Darbhanga-Kanniyakumari Express and the Kamakhya-LTT Express journey commencing on June 3.
Expressing shock and grief at the loss of lives in the train accident in Odisha, opposition leaders on Saturday stressed the importance of prioritising the safety of passengers by railways, while there were also demands to fix accountability and for the resignation of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
The accident involving two passenger trains and a goods train in Odisha's Balasore district killed at least 288 people and injured more than 1100, in one of the worst railway tragedies in the country.
4 Tracks, 3 Trains, Disaster In Mere Minutes: How Odisha Accident Happened#OdishaTrainAccident pic.twitter.com/OdS9hV3oTM
- NDTV (@ndtv) June 3, 2023
In view of the train accident in Balasore district of Odisha, the North Western Railway has issued helpline numbers for the convenience of passengers. A spokesperson said that passengers or general public can get related information on numbers 0141-2725806 and 0141-2725804.
Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra and Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot have expressed grief over the tragic accident that took place on Friday evening.
"I have taken the stock of the stituation. I don't have words to express my sorrow," said PM Modi, adding, "those responsible will be severely punished."
"I thank the locals for their effort to save those trapped," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Former Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav on Saturday called for a high-level inquiry into the train crash in Odisha's Balasore in which at least 261 people were killed in an accident involving three trains.
"There should be a high-level inquiry and action should be taken against those responsible for it...There was major negligence. They have destroyed Railways," the RJD chief said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inspected the triple train accident site at Bahanaga in Odisha's Balasore district to take stock of relief operations.
The Prime Minister spoke to the Cabinet Secretary and Health Minister from the site.
He asked them to ensure all help needed is provided to the injured and their families, said officials.
PM Modi also said that special care must be taken to ensure that the bereaved families don't face inconvenience and those affected keep getting assistance they require.
During the visit, he also interacted with Odisha's Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Pramila Mallik as well as local police chief.
3 As many as 250 passengers who survived the train crash in Odisha are arriving on a special train, with the majority of them scheduled to disembark at Chennai, a railway official said on Saturday.
As per preliminary information, four passengers will disembark at Bherampur, while 41 will get off at Visakhapatnam, one in Rajamahendravaram, two in Tadepelligudem and 133 in Chennai, a Vijayawada Railway Division official from the South Central Railway (SCR) zone told PTI on Saturday.
This train is expected to reach Chennai Central railway station on Sunday.
#WATCH | RJD chief & former Railways Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav speaks on #BalasoreTrainAccident; says, "...The manner in which they showed negligence & didn't show alertness led to such a large number of casualties...There should be a high-level inquiry and action should be... pic.twitter.com/01WgROya1t
- ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2023
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has deputed Lok Sabha Leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and AICC In-Charge A Chella Kumar to immediately visit the train crash site in Odisha to take stock of the situation. Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal said that the two leaders will also oversee relief efforts being undertaken by Congress workers in the state.
#BalasoreTrainAccident | Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal met the injured of the train accident at Community Health Centre in Soro, Balasore and asked the doctors to ensure proper treatment for them. pic.twitter.com/XpiDU3q4ox
- ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2023
Following the horrific train crash in Odisha involving the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, Railway officials in Bengaluru on Saturday said as per the latest information available, no one from the reserved coaches got injured or died, while few passengers from the General Seating (GS) coach had some injuries.
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.
After a crash involving three trains killed more than 230 people in Odisha last evening, questions are being raised about possible operational lapses that could have contributed to the tragedy.
#WATCH | Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin takes stock of the situation at the State Emergency Operation Centre in Chennai#BalasoreTrainAccident pic.twitter.com/2fZYOkJjx9
- ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2023
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit train accident site today, sources told NDTV. PM Modi will also meet injured people in a hospital in Cuttack in Odisha, the sources added.
UN General Assembly President Csaba Korosi has expressed his deepest condolence to the families and the Government of India for the tragic train crash in Odisha in which at least 233 people were killed.
Sanjay Mukhia, a daily wage worker travelling to Chennai on the Coromandel-Shalimar Express, had gone to the toilet when he felt a huge jolt. "Everything was shaking and we could feel the bogey toppling," Mukhia, who is from Bihar, told NDTV, showing his injuries. Read Full story here.
- NDRF 🇮🇳 (@NDRFHQ) June 3, 2023
At least 238 people were killed and 650 injured in a horrific three-train collision in Odisha, officials said Saturday, the country's deadliest rail accident in more than 20 years. Images from the crash site showed smashed train compartments torn open with blood-stained holes near Balasore, in Odisha. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said a high-level committee will be set up to investigate the train crash.
Nine teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have reached the site of the Odisha train crash, officials said. The nine teams include around 240 personnel, they added.
At least 233 people were killed and more than 900 injured after a horrific three-train collision last evening in Odisha's Balasore. Click here to read full story
#Pics | Morning visuals from the accident site in Balasore, Odisha.#OdishaTrainAccident pic.twitter.com/qOGt1MUMAT
- NDTV (@ndtv) June 3, 2023
#WATCH | Odisha | Search and rescue operation underway for #BalasoreTrainAccident that claimed 233 lives so far.
- ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2023
As per State's Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena, one severely damaged compartment still remains and NDRF, ODRAF & Fire Service are working to cut through it to try to... pic.twitter.com/BQZSm0JQ4z
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has reached accident spot in Odisha's Balasore. 233 people were killed and 900 were injured when a passenger train hit the derailed coaches of another train in the district Friday evening. The crash, one of the deadliest in India in recent times, involved the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, and a goods train.
As a passenger on the Coromandel Express from Howrah to Chennai, I am extremely thankful to have escaped unscathed. It probably is the biggest train accident related incident. Thread of how the incident unfolded 1/n
- Anubhav Das (@anubhav2das) June 2, 2023
#WATCH | Morning visuals from the spot where the horrific train accident took place in Odisha's Balasore district, killing 207 people and injuring 900 pic.twitter.com/yhTAENTNzJ
- ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2023
Citing the latest report, Odisha Chief Secretary said the death count stands at 233, while around 900 people were injured in the accident that occurred in Balasore district, about 250 km south of Kolkata and 170 km north of Bhubaneswar, around 7 pm on Friday.