Two passenger trains and one goods train derailed in Balasore, taking the death toll to 288. Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena has confirmed this. According to information, the death toll may rise. More than 1000 people have been injured in this accident, and are undergoing treatment. After the incident, the rescuers are busy rescuing the trapped people. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has ordered a day of state mourning on 2 June 2023 following the train accident at Bahnaga in Balasore district. There will be no celebrations across the state on June 3.
500 units of blood have been collected overnight in Balasore. Currently, 900 units of blood are available in stock. The Army and the Air Force have also been called in for help, with rescue operations underway. Buses have reached the site with bleaching powder and medicine.
Railway Ministry has announced compensation. 10 lakhs each will be given to the families of the deceased. PM Modi has also announced compensation. According to information, today PM Modi himself will go to Odisha, where he will visit the accident site and also meet the injured.
BJP National President JP Nadda has expressed deep grief over the Odisha-Balasore train accident. Nadda has said that he is deeply saddened by the horrific train accident in Odisha’s Balasore. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today suspended all its programs across the country because of the horrific train accident.
The Ministry of Railways has ordered an inquiry into the Odisha train accident. Commissioner Railway Safety South East Circle will investigate the accident. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said he has ordered a high-level inquiry into Friday night’s derailment. The Ministry of Railways has also given the next of kin of those who lost their lives Rs. 10 lakh, grievously injured Rs. 2 lakh, and minor injuries Rs. 50,000 has been announced. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister’s Office has also announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to those injured in the accident.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav reached Balasore and inspected the accident site. Railway Minister said that teams of Railways, NDRF, and SDRF are engaged in rescue work. Currently, our focus is on rescue operations. The movement of trains will be started only after the relief and rescue work is completed. Machines are already deployed for restoration.
The Railway Minister said that this is a major accident. We pray for all departed souls. Railway teams, NDRF, and SDRF are engaged in rescue operations since last night. My condolences to those whose family members died in this accident. The government will help them all possible. Railways announced the compensation yesterday, an inquiry committee has also been constituted.
State Special Relief Commissioner Satyavrat Sahu said that the people injured in the accident are being treated in various hospitals. All government and private hospitals in nearby districts, including AIIMS in Bhubaneswar, have been put on alert. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, who visited the site, said that the Air Force has also been called to help in the rescue work.
Bhubaneswar officials said that besides 1,200 personnel, 115 ambulances, 50 buses, and 45 mobile health units are working at the accident site. Dead bodies are being taken to the hospital by all types of vehicles including tractors. According to reports, more than 2,000 people gathered at Balasore Medical College and Hospital during the night to help the injured, and many also donated blood. Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena thanked the volunteers who donated blood for the accident victims.
It may be noted that more than 230 people were killed and around 900 injured in a horrific train accident in Odisha when Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, and Malgadi collided with each other. The train accident, one of India’s deadliest in recent times, occurred near Bahanaga Bazar station in Balasore district around 7 pm on Friday.
