Odisha train accident: Coromandel Express accidentally entered loop line and hit goods train, says preliminary probe

More than 260 people were killed and nearly a thousand others injured after a horrific three train crash in Odisha's Balasore district on Friday. Preliminary investigations indicate that the Coromandel Express had accidentally entered the loop line and crashed into a goods train parked there just ahead of the Bahanagar Bazar station. Meanwhile the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express capsized after crashing into the scattered coaches of Coromandel Express on the adjacent track.

While some eyewitnesses confirmed that the Coromandel Express had rammed into the goods train, these accounts have not been officially confirmed by the Indian Railways. Questions have also been raised about possible operational lapses and a signal error.

According to a PTI report quoting sources, the Coromandel Express had been moving at a speed of 128 kmph while the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express was running at a speed of 116 kmph. The two trains were carrying around 2,000 passengers. The third transporter involved in the crash was a stationary goods train.

What are loop lines?

Loop lines are constructed in a station area to ease rail operations and accomodate a greater number of trains. They are generally 750 metres in length to accommodate full-length goods train with multiple engines. Such tracks return to the main line after a short distance. 

Preliminary investigations have revealed that the Coromandel Express train entered the loop line and crashed into a goods train parked there instead of the main line. But while sources quoted by PTI had earlier indicated that a signalling failure could be the reason behind the crash, railway officials said it is not yet clear if Coromandel Express entered the loop line and hit the stationary goods train or it first derailed and then hit the parked train after entering the loop line.

What happened on Friday?

The accident occurred just ahead of the Bahanagar Bazar station on Friday after the Coromandel Express train entered the loop line where the goods train was parked. Reports citing the yard layout map indicate an intersection in the tracks where the Coromandel Express may have deviated from the main line.

As per an NDTV report the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express had been coming along the ‘UP line’ while the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express was crossing via the ‘DN line’. As the Coromandel Express hit the goods train, several of its coaches reportedly fell onto the nearby DN line - straight into the path of the incoming Bengaluru-Howrah train. 

The preliminary probe report accessed by PTI said the signal was given and taken off for the up main line for train number 12841, the train entered the loop line, dashed with the goods train and derailed. In the meantime, train number 12864 passed through the down main line and two of its coaches derailed and capsized.

(With inputs from agencies)