Toll in Odisha train accident tops 290, more than 900 still in hospitals

Odisha train accident: Nearly 300 people were killed and 900 injured in a horrific train crash Friday evening in Odisha's Balasore. Reports said 10 to 12 coaches of the Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express collided with a goods train and derailed on the opposite track. Subsequently, the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express collided with the derailed coaches, leading to the derailment of three to four of its own coaches.

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Saturday that he has ordered a high-level probe into the derailment. "The accident was unfortunate, and the rescue operation began shortly after the incident was reported to his ministry," the minister told reporters.

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 minor injuries.

Restoration work commences

Meanwhile, the rescue operation is over at the derailment site and restoration work has commenced, the Ministry of Railways said in a tweet.

"Around 900 injured passengers are being treated at several hospitals in Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, Jajpur and Cuttack districts," Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena said.

"The identified bodies are either being handed over to their relatives or transported to their respective destinations after autopsy. Statutory procedure will be followed for the unidentified ones," he added.

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reached the accident spot in Balasore Saturday morning and took stock of the situation.

PM Modi visits site

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also visited the site. He called a high-level meeting to review the situation, government sources said.

The Army was engaged to assist the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), several fire units and ambulances in the rescue operation. The rescuers used gas-cutter torches and electric cutters to pull out survivors from the mangled remains of the trains involved in the accident.

About 200 ambulances and 45 mobile health teams have been deployed for rescue operations. Apart from that, about 50 additional doctors have also been mobilized. The Army joined in and the Air Force positioned MI-17 helicopters for relief and rescue operations.

"The situation is under control. The search and rescue operations are being carried out," Odisha Health Minister Niranjan Pujari told reporters.

High-level probe ordered

"A detailed high-level inquiry will be conducted and the rail safety commissioner will also do an independent inquiry, "Ashwini Vaishnaw said. The cause of the train accident in Odisha will be known after the Commissioner of Railway Safety submits his report, he said.

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik also visited the site of the horrific site and took stock of the situation in Balasore. He also visited the Balasore district hospital to meet the injured victims.

"I have to thank the local people, local teams who have worked overnight. Railways safety should always be given the first preference. The people have been taken to hospital, " the CM said.

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