Odisha train accident: How did the 3 trains crash at Balasore?

At least 233 people dead and about 900 injured in a horrific train crash in Odisha on Friday, involving the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express and a goods train.

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw who took stock of the situation has assured to conduct a detailed high-level inquiry on the mishap. While speaking to reporters, he said, “A detailed high-level inquiry will be conducted and the rail safety commissioner will also do an independent inquiry.” "Our focus is on rescue and relief operations. Restoration will begin after clearance from the district administration," he said.

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How the triple train crash incident happened: 

A tragic accident occurred near Balasore district's Bahanaga Baazar station on Friday. The station lies almost 250 km south of Kolkata and 170 km north of Bhubaneswar.

12864 Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express departs from Bengaluru at 10.35 am while 12841 Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express departs from Shalimar in Kolkata at around 3:20 pm.

Several coaches of the 12864 Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, on the way to Howrah, derailed and fell on adjacent tracks. These derailed coaches then collided with the 12841 Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express and its coaches capsized too. A goods train was also involved in the accident as some of the coaches of the Coromandel Express, which was heading to Chennai, hit its wagons after getting derailed.

Officials said Bengaluru-Howrah superfast which was on the down line derailed at 6.55pm, and Coromandel on the up line derailed at 7pm. The goods train was parked on the track when it was hit.

Opposition party raise questions

Opposition party leaders have raised questions about the signalling system of the railways which purportedly led to the crash.

TMC spokesperson Saket Gokhale in a tweet wrote, "Stunned & distressed to hear the tragic news of the Coromandel Express & Yashwantpur-Howrah train crash in Odisha. My fervent prayers for those affected & their families. ...That an alleged signalling failure led to 3 trains crashing is shocking beyond belief. There are serious questions which need answering." 

CPI(ML) general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya too raised the same question. "Do we no longer have any signalling and safety system in Indian railways? Or will such terrible tragedies become the new normal for rail travel in India? We owe an answer to the victims and to the families who lost their near and dear ones in this mishap," he said in a tweet.

CPI MP Binoy Viswam has demanded that Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw resign over the incident. "Government concentrates only on luxury trains. Trains and tracks of common people are neglected. Orissa deaths are the result of it. Rail minister should resign. concentrate only on luxury trains. Trains and tracks of common people are neglected. Orissa deaths are the result of it. Rail minister should resign," Viswam said in a tweet.

The Odisha government issued helpline 06782-262286. The railway helplines are 033-26382217 (Howrah), 8972073925 (Kharagpur), 8249591559 (Balasore) and 044- 25330952 (Chennai).

(With inputs from agencies)