Triple Train Collision in Balasore Leaves 280 Dead and Over 900 Injured
Balasore, Odisha – In a devastating train accident that occurred on Friday evening, the death toll has risen to 280, with over 900 individuals sustaining injuries. The Chief Secretary, Pradeep Jena, confirmed the tragic incident, which involved a triple train collision.
At approximately 7 pm, chaos ensued in Balasore when the Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express derailed, causing 10 to 12 coaches to fall onto 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. To compound the tragedy, a goods train was also involved in the crash.
The mishap unfolded near Bahanaga Bazar Railway station, derailing Train No. 12841, the Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express, and Train No. 12864, the Sir M Visvesvaraya-Howrah Superfast Express, at around 6:55 pm on June 2, 2023. Promptly, accident relief trains equipped with medical personnel and equipment rushed to the scene from Kharagpur and Bhadrak.
Injured passengers were immediately rushed to nearby hospitals and health units, where they are currently receiving medical attention. Authorities are working tirelessly to provide the necessary aid and support to those affected by this tragic incident.
Following the devastating loss of lives, the Prime Minister announced that each deceased individual’s next of kin would receive an ex-gratia payment of Rs. 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF). Additionally, those injured in the accident will receive Rs. 50,000 as compensation.
The Railway Minister also addressed the situation, stating that the victims of the accident would receive ex-gratia compensation. The compensation amounts have been set at Rs. 10 lakh in the case of death, Rs. 2 lakh for grievous injuries, and Rs. 50,000 for minor injuries.
As investigations into the Balasore train accident continue, authorities are striving to ensure the safety and well-being of the survivors and their families. The incident has brought profound grief to the nation, prompting a collective effort to prevent such tragedies in the future and improve railway safety measures.
