High-level inquiry ordered and mourning declared in Odisha's Balasore following tragic train collision
Vaishnaw emphasised that the focus was currently on rescue and relief operations, with restoration efforts to follow after clearance from the district administration.
New Delhi, June 03: Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw visited the site of the train accident in Balasore, Odisha, and assessed the situation, vowing to conduct a thorough high-level inquiry into the mishap.
He assured that an independent inquiry by the rail safety commissioner would also take place. Vaishnaw emphasised that the focus was currently on rescue and relief operations, with restoration efforts to follow after clearance from the district administration.
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The collision between a passenger train and a freight train in Balasore district resulted in the tragic loss of at least 233 lives, with 900 people injured, as confirmed by Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena. Late on Friday night, around 10-12 coaches of the Chennai-bound Coromandel Express derailed and fell onto an adjacent track, obstructing the path of another train from Yeswanthpur to Howrah.
Also Read: Tragic train collision in Odisha claims 233 lives and leaves 900 injured
Expressing his sorrow over the incident, Vaishnaw described it as a significant and tragic accident. He highlighted the joint efforts of the Railway, NDRF (National Disaster Response Force), SDRF (State Disaster Response Force), and the state government in carrying out the ongoing rescue operation. He assured that the best possible healthcare facilities would be provided to those affected and mentioned that compensation had already been announced. Additionally, a high-level committee has been formed to conduct an inquiry into the accident.
Vaishnaw arrived at the accident site in Balasore in the morning to assess the situation and oversee the search and rescue operation in progress. He promptly ordered a high-level investigation into the derailment that occurred the previous night.
Meanwhile, Union Minister of Education and Skill Development, Dharmendra Pradhan, curtailed his visit to Kolkata and proceeded to Balasore to monitor the situation following the derailment of several coaches of a passenger train in a collision with a goods carriage.
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In response to the tragic incident, the Odisha government declared a day of mourning. The flagging-off ceremony of the Goa-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express by Konkan Railway was also canceled as a mark of respect. The derailment of several coaches of the Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express near Bahanaga station in Balasore occurred after it collided with a goods train.
Railway spokesperson Amitabh Sharma provided details of the accident, stating that around 7 pm on Friday, 10-12 coaches of the Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express derailed near Baleswar, falling onto the opposite track. Subsequently, another train traveling from Yeswanthpur to Howrah collided with the derailed coaches, causing 3-4 coaches of the second train to derail as well.