Balasore (Odisha): At least 50 persons are feared dead and dozens injured after 12842 Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel express derailed up on a head-on collision with a good’s train near Bahanaga Bazar station on Friday evening.
Reports say that 10-14 coaches of Coromandel express derailed in the accident that took place around 7.20 pm. Another train, Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, rammed in to derailed coaches of Colomandel express, which were jumped on the other side of the track.
According to officials, the injured persons have been rushed to the nearest hospitals in Balasore and SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.
According to railway spokesperson Amitabh Sharma, 10 to 12 coaches of the 12841 Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express derailed near Baleswar and fell on the opposite track around 7 pm.
After some time, another train from Yeswanthpur to Howrah dashed into those derailed coaches resulting in the derailment of its three to four bogies.
Some of the derailed coaches from this accident were then hit by the wagons of a goods train.
The railways have launched rescue and relief operations, immediately after it came to know about the accident. Details are awaited. Meanwhile, Indian railways have set up emergency control room and issued numbers for the kin of passengers, who wanted to know the conditions of their near and dear ones.
Distressed by the train accident in Odisha. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon. Spoke to Railway Minister @AshwiniVaishnaw and took stock of the situation. Rescue ops are underway at the site of the mishap and all…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 2, 2023
Also Read: Godavari Express derails, none injured; 19 trains on route hit
Emergency Number : HWH – 03326382217 KGP- 8972073925, 9332392339 BLS – 8249591559, 7978418322 SHM – 9903370746
Shocked to know that the Shalimar- Coromondel express, carrying passengers from West Bengal, collided with a goods train near Balasore today evening and some of our outbound people have been seriously affected/ injured. We are coordinating with Odisha government and South…
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) June 2, 2023
In view of the derailment of Coromandel Express, Sealdah – Puri Duronto Express scheduled to leave Sealdah at 8 pm on June 2, has been cancelled: Eastern Railway
Rushing to the site in Odisha. My prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured and condolences to the bereaved families.
Rescue teams mobilised from Bhubaneswar and Kolkata. NDRF, State govt. teams and Airforce also mobilised.
Will take all hands required for the rescue ops.— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) June 2, 2023
There have been casualties but we haven’t yet counted. It was such a violent train involving three trains – two passenger trains and one goods train, said Odisha chief secretary Pradeep Jena.
Anguished by the tragic news of the accident involving the Coromandel Express, in Balasore, Odisha.
My heart goes out to the bereaved families. Wishing for the speedy recovery of those injured.
I urge Congress workers & leaders to extend all support needed for rescue efforts.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 2, 2023
“NDRF and SDRF teams are on the spot. 600-700 rescue force personnel working. Rescue operation to be conducted throughout the night. All hospitals are providing support. Our immediate concern is to rescue victims. Concerned officials rushed to the spot,” Jena added.
“Nearly 50 ambulances have reported but the injured appear far too many. Large number of buses being mobilised to shift injured to hospital,” Jena said
The injured passengers are being shifted to the nearby hospitals. Search and rescue operation is currently underway.
West Bengal chief secretary HK Dwivedi held talks with Odisha govt. A team led by minister Manas Bhuniya along with MP Dola Sen has left for Balasore along with ambulances. A control room had been started with helpline 03322143526.
Many trains passing through the section have been either re-routed or cancelled due to the accident.
Goa Mumbai Vande Bharat express launch cancelled
The Goa-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express, which was scheduled to be flagged off on June 3, has been cancelled following the accident involving three trains in Odisha. An official of the Railway Ministry said that the fresh date for opening of the train will be announced later. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to flag off the train virtually.
