The scene from the accident site in Odisha
At least 179 people were injured when a passenger train hit the derailed coaches of another train in Odisha’s Balasore this evening. Many are feared trapped.
Coromandel Express, which was going from Kolkata to Chennai, rammed the derailed coaches of the other train, which was going from Bengaluru to Kolkata, Railway Ministry spokesperson Amitabh Sharma told NDTV.
The accident happened around 7.20 pm near Bahanaga Bazar station when the train was on the way to Chennai Central station from the Shalimar station near Kolkata.
Here are the UPDATES:
Get NDTV UpdatesTurn on notifications to receive alerts as this story develops.
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
No Head On Collision: Railway Official
A railway official denied the earlier reports of a head-on collision between two trains in Odisha.
Odisha | Several feared injured after Coromandel Express derails near Bahanaga station in Balasore, Odisha. pic.twitter.com/hV7YrDlduW
– ANI (@ANI) June 2, 2023
#WATCH | Odisha: Several feared injured after Coromandel Express derails near Bahanaga station in Balasore. pic.twitter.com/GQmuIyApug
– ANI (@ANI) June 2, 2023
Darkness Hinders Rescue Ops
A PTI reporter at the spot said several people were trapped under the derailed coaches, and locals were assisting emergency services personnel to rescue them, but darkness was hindering the operation.
Helpline Numbers Released
The Odisha government has issued helpline number 06782-262286. The railway helplines are 033-26382217 (Howrah), 8972073925 (Kharagpur), 8249591559 (Balasore) and 044- 25330952 (Chennai).
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
Medical college and all hospitals in and around Balasore are on alert.
No Reports Of Casualties So Far
It was not immediately known how many people were injured in the accident. There are no reports of any casualties.
Relief Trains Rushed To The Accident Site
Accident relief trains have been dispatched to the spot, a South Eastern Railway official said.
Train Accident Update
The accident happened around 7.20 pm near Bahanaga Bazar station when the train was on the way to Chennai Central station from the Shalimar station near Kolkata, said officials.
Coromandel Express Collides With Goods Train, Derails
Four coaches of the Coromandel Express derailed in Odisha’s Balasore district on Friday evening after a head-on collision with a goods train, officials said.
