Odisha Train Accident: Railway Ministry says 238 dead, 650 injured. Check latest update
Train accident in Odisha's Balasore district has claimed at least 238 lives, with almost 650 people admitted to hospitals. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has promised a high-level inquiry into the incident.
PremiumRailway Ministry has shared the latest update on the train accident that occurred in Odisha's Balasore district on Friday. The latest figures by the ministry indicate that at least 238 people have lost their lives while almost 650 people have been admitted to hospitals in Balasore, Khantapara, Bhadrak, Soro and Gopalpur.
South Eastern Railway in a statement informed, “As per the information received till now, there are 238 casualties. Around 650 injured passengers have been taken to the Hospitals of Gopalpur, Khantapara, Balasore, Bhadrak and Soro."
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“Hon’ble Minister for Railways has reached the spot and supervising the rescue operation. General Manager, South Eastern Railway and other principal officers are also at the site." the statement added
South Eastern Railway also informed that train number 12864 Sir M Visvesvaraya-Howrah Superfast Express and a special train are coming towards Howrah. The stranded passengers on these trains will be met with water, tea and food packets at the Howrah station.
The tragic train accident involving Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express and a goods train occurred near Balasore district's Bahanaga Baazar station on Friday.
According to reports, the incident occurred when several coaches of the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express derailed and fell onto the adjacent tracks. The Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express then collided with these coaches, causing its own coaches to capsize. Shortly afterwards, a goods train also collided with these derailed coaches.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said that the ministry will conduct a high-level inquiry into the tragic accident. Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Vaishnaw said, "A detailed high-level inquiry will be conducted and the rail safety commissioner will also do an independent inquiry,"
Meanwhile, Odisha Government has started handing over the bodies to the relatives. The State chief secretary Pradeep Jena has said that a statutory procedure will be followed for the unidentified bodies.
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