Balasore train accident: The horrific train crash that killed 238 people and injured over 650 in Odisha’s Balasore on Friday evening was caused when the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express derailed and collided with a goods train that was parked on the loop track on the side. A short while later, the incoming Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express collided with the derailed coaches. A Twitter user who claimed to have survived the crash, recounted horrific details.
“As a passenger on the Coromandel Express from Howrah to Chennai, I am extremely thankful to have escaped unscathed. It probably is the biggest train accident-related incident,” he tweeted, detailing “initial impressions” on what went down.
The user named Anubhav Das said three general coaches of the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express were completely damaged and derailed. He added that almost 13 coaches of Coromandel Express including General, Sleeper, AC 3 tier and AC 2 tier are “completely damaged”.
He claimed to have personally seen more than 200-250 deaths.
‘A sight that I will never forget’
“Families crushed away, limbless bodies and a bloodbath on the train tracks. It was a sight that I will never forget. God help the families. My condolences,” he said.
Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw arrived at the spot on Saturday morning and took stock of the situation. He said current focus is on rescue and relief, restoration will begin soon. “Our focus is on rescue and relief operations. Restoration will begin after clearance from district administration. A detailed high-level inquiry will be conducted and the rail safety commissioner will also do an independent inquiry,” said Vaishnav after reaching the accident spot.
Rs. 10 lakh ex-gratia
The railway ministry has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 10 lakh to the kin of the deceased, Rs. 2 lakh to those severely injured, and Rs. 50,000 to those who sustained with minor injuries.
Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik also arrived at the accident spot in Balasore.
The rescue operations are on and all hospitals in the nearby districts have been put on alert. Three NDRF units, 4 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force units, over 15 fire rescue teams, 30 doctors, 200 police personnel and 60 ambulances have been mobilised to the site, according to Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena.
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