Odisha Train Accident

Odisha train accident: Over 230 dead, 900 injured; PM announces ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to kin of deceased

The Coromandel Express train accident in Balasore district of Odisha, which left close to 300 people dead and more than 900 injured, may have been caused by human error, initial reports from the signalling control room of the railways suggest. 

The train apparently took the wrong track, minutes before the accident occurred, according to the video footage from the signalling control room of the Kharagpur division of the Railways. Instead of following the main line, the Chennai-bound Coromandel Express mistakenly entered a loop line where a goods train was parked, shortly after passing Bahanagar Bazar station at approximately 6:55 pm on Friday.

However, a more comprehensive investigation is required to ascertain the exact cause of the accident. 

“How it happened and why it happened, will be found in the detailed inquiry that the railway board has ordered. But, prima facie it appears to be a human error," the official, who asked not to be named, said, as reported by Hindustan Times

According to the same official, a similar accident occurred in 1995 in Firozabad in Uttar Pradesh, where three trains collided. Around 350 persons were killed in that accident and the rescue operations went on for three days.

Toll rises to 261 and rescue operations completed

The Coromandel Express, running at about 127 km per hour, collided with the goods train and derailed on the main line, an official from the railway ministry said. Within minutes of the collision, the official cited above said that the Howrah-bound Yashwantnagar Express coming from the opposite side collided with the Coromandel Express. The disastrous accident occurred around 7.30 pm on Friday. 

The toll in the disastrous accident has risen to 261 and rescue operations at the site have been completed, a South Eastern Railway official said on Saturday. 

"The number of casualties in Friday's railway accident has increased to 261. Another 650 injured passengers are being treated at various hospitals in Odisha," SER spokesperson Aditya Chowdhury said. 

An enquiry into the accident will be held by the commissioner of railway safety (CRS), South Eastern circle, the official said.