261 dead, 900 injured in Odisha train accident

In one of the worst train accidents in the country since independence, 261 people were killed and 900 others injured, some seriously, when Chennai bound Coromandel Express train rammed into the derailed coaches of Yashwantpur-Howrah Superfast Express Train in Odisha's Balasore district on Friday evening.

Source: Dainik Bhaskar

The accident happened near Bahanga Bazar station in Balasore district at 7 PM. According to the Railway officials 650 people have been shifted to different hospitals. Railway minister Ashwini Vaishanv reached the accident spot to supervise the relief and rescue operations.

While a high level probe had been ordered into the mishap, which resulted in large scale cancellation of long distance trains on the route, Prime Minster Narendra Modi also presided over a meeting of the officials to take stock of the situation. Modi is likely to visit the accident site and meet the injured at the hospitals.

Source: Dainik Bhaskar

According to railway officials the accident involved three trains-Shalimar- Chennai Coro-Mandal Express, Yashantpur-Howrah Superfast Express and a goods train.

The officials said that it all started with the derailment of some coaches of the Yashwantpur-Howrah Express train. A few coaches fell on the up line. A little later a speeding Coro-Mandel Express, which was coming on the up line, rammed into the derailed coaches resulting in the loss of so many lives.

These trains also collided with a stationary goods train which was standing on the other track. This collision was so strong that the engine of the passenger train climbed onto the goods train.

Let us take you to the accident spot through some pictures:

- When did the accident happen?

Source: Dainik Jagran

The accident happened near the Balasor's Bahanga market from 175 KM to Bhuvneshwar.

- First a train derailed and collided with the other train...... both collided with goods train

In this accident Yashwantpur- Howrah train no. 12864, Shalimar-Chennai Coromondal Express train no. 12841 and a goods train collided.

- Reason behind this accident

The reason behind this accident is not still clear but the Railway minister Ashwini Vaishanav said it will be deeply analyzed. The first important thing is to take care the injured people.

Updates:

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has deployed Mi-17 helicopters for evacuation of casualties.

IAF is coordinating the rescue efforts with the civil administration and Indian Railways.

West Bengal CM Mamta Banerjee is going to Odisha's Balasor to meet with the injured people and to see the situation.

According to Amitabh Sharma, Executive Director, Information Publication Railway Board 48 trains have been cancelled, 39 trains have been diverted and 10 trains have been short terminated.

CM of Odisha Naveen Patnayak also expressed the deep sorrow over this accident and reached the accident spot to monitor the rescue operations.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Rahul Gandhi also expressed grief over this and appealed to Congress workers and leaders to help in the rescue operations.