2023 Odisha train collision

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Odisha train collision
Video still image of the collision aftermath
Screenshot of the wreckage from Kalinga TV
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Location of collision
Details
Date2 June 2023 (2023-06-02)
around 19:00 IST (13:30 UTC)[1]
LocationNear Bahanaga Bazar railway station, Balasore, Odisha
Country India
OperatorIndian Railways
Incident typeDerailment, double collision
Statistics
Trains3 trains
Deaths295[2]–380[3]
Injured1,175+[4][2]

On 2 June 2023, three trains collided near the city of Balasore, in the state of Odisha in eastern India. Two passenger trains, the 12841 Coromandel Express and the 12864 SMVT Bengaluru–Howrah SF Express, collided after an initial accident involving a freight train near the Bahanaga Bazar railway station. At least 295 people were killed in the crash,[2][5] and more than 1,175[4] others were injured in the incident.[2][6][7][8] This is the fourth-deadliest rail disaster of the 21st century and India's worst rail crash since the Firozabad rail disaster in 1995.[9]

Crash

At about 7 pm local time (13:30 GMT) on 2 June 2023, two passenger trains, the 12841 Coromandel Express (between Shalimar and MGR Chennai Central) and the 12864 SMVT Bengaluru–Howrah SF Express (between SMVT Bengaluru and Howrah),[10][11] collided on the Howrah–Chennai Main Line near Bahanaga Bazar in Balasore district in the eastern state of Odisha.[7][12][13] A freight train was also involved in the crash.

The Coromandel Express derailed and collided with the stationary freight train. It was believed that some of its carriages overturned and ended up in the opposite track where they were struck by the SMVT Bengaluru–Howrah SF Express.[12] One of the trains was hauled by a Class WAP-7 locomotive 37334.[14]

External video
Aerial visuals of the accident site on 3 June via ANI on Twitter
Animated explanation of the accident by NDTV

According to initial reports by Pramila Mallik, Odisha state's disaster management minister, 288 people were killed in the crash, and more than 900 others were injured; these numbers would later rise.[15] The incident is India's deadliest railway crash in more than 20 years.[16][17][1]

Two unreserved coaches and the brake van of SMVT Bengaluru–Howrah SF Express were derailed. The unaffected portion of the train, which included the engine and 20 coaches, left with its passengers and continued to Howrah. At Balasore, the damaged coach was detached and the remaining 19 coaches continued their journey. It was reported that the reserved compartments of SMVT Bengaluru–Howrah SF Express sustained no fatalities or injuries to passengers. Officials said that ascertaining the identity of passengers of the unreserved coach will take time.[18]

Investigation

A preliminary investigation conducted by Kharagpur railway division officials indicates that the following sequence of events occurred at the site of crash:[19][20]

  1. The Coromandel Express was heading towards Chennai on a southbound line at a speed of 128 km/h (80 mph) and was initially given the signal to proceed on the main line it was coming on. However, for unknown reason, the signal was then taken off for the main line and the route was switched to a loop line that is adjacent to the main line.[21]
  2. The Coromandel Express then hit the rear end of a stationary goods train which was on the loop line, causing the locomotive of the Coromandel Express to climb over the goods train wagon and also the derailment of its 22 coaches.
  3. In the meantime, Bengaluru-Howrah SF Express, which was heading towards Howrah on northbound line at a speed of 116 km/h (72 mph), was crossing the Coromandel Express in the opposite direction. It almost crossed the other train except for the rear end.
  4. When the Coromandel Express derailed, three of its coaches hit the last two coaches of Bengaluru-Howrah SF Express, and consequently these 5 coaches saw the maximum casualties.

The railway authorities stated that the anti-collision system is not yet deployed on the track where the accident happened, despite been warned twice in the six months before the accident about the signalling system and shortcomings that cause derailment. In February 2023, the principal chief operating manager of South Western Railway zone had written to the authorities after the Yesvantpur-Hazrat Nizamuddin Sampark Kranti Express narrowly escaped a collision. He had warned Railways of reoccurence of derailments if the glitches in the signalling system remain unfixed. Auditing institution Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) ’s December 2022 report on derailments warned that lack of adequate staffing in safety category by the Indian Railways can impact the quality of maintenance. The report also stated Railway safety funds fell short of target every year, since last four years. The report contradicts the claims by Indian Railways which stated that the accident is not a reflection of deeper safety issues in the system.[22][23][24]

Response

Indian Railways published the reservation charts of both the passenger trains on its website.[‡ 1][‡ 2] The railways and the governments of Odisha , West Bengal and Tamilnadu also issued helpline numbers.[25][26]. According to the Chief Secretary of Odisha, Pradeep Jena, Template:Update span Local bus companies assisted in transporting injured passengers.[27][12] Local civilians provided passengers with water and helped them retrieve their luggage where possible.[28]

The Government of West Bengal sent 30 ambulances to assist with the rescue and recovery of the wounded. In addition, 40 doctors and several nursing staff was also sent to medically assist the critically wounded.[29]

The Government of Tamil Nadu sent a high level delegation comprising two state ministers and Three IAS officers to Odisha to assist the passengers bound for Chennai and Observe the situation. It also Arranged a treatment Facility with 70 beds at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital.[30]

The search for and recovery of trapped and injured passengers continued through the night of 2 June and was concluded on the afternoon of 3 June.[31][32] Search dogs were used to find survivors.[32] South Eastern Railway announced that efforts had commenced to restore the crash site.[12]

By the evening of June 3rd, Odisha government officials said that 1,175 people had been admitted to hospitals as a result of the crash; 793 of those people had been released, and 382 were still undergoing treatment.[31] Local hospitals were overwhelmed by the influx of injured people, but worked to provide patients with adequate care.[33] A number of locals from Balasore, Bhadrak, and Cuttack came to hospitals to donate blood.[33]

Bodies of deceased passengers were taken to a local high school, chosen due to its open spaces and location close to the crash site.[34] Identification of bodies was made more difficult due to burns or other trauma, causing officials to use luggage, phones, and other belongings to try to identify the passengers.[34]

Aftermath

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the site on 3 June 2023

The railways announced compensation of ₹10 lakh ($14200) for families of the deceased, ₹2 lakh ($2840) for the severely injured and ₹50,000 ($710) for those with minor injuries. Further, ex gratia compensation of ₹2 lakh ($2840) from the PMNRF would be given to the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 ($710) to the injured.[7][35]

Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee announced ₹5 lakh ($7100) compensation to families of passengers from West Bengal who were killed in the accident, ₹1 lakh ($1420) to critically injured, and ₹50,000 ($710) to those with minor injuries.[36]

Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik declared a day of mourning.[37]

Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M.K. Stalin declared a day of mourning and announced a compensation of ₹5 lakh ($7100) to the kin of those who had died in the accident.[38]

Following the crash, NDTV reported that at least 48 trains on the affected route were cancelled, 39 trains diverted onto a different route, and 10 were short-terminated;[16] Hindustan Times reported that more than 150 trains were impacted.[31] The inaugural run of the Mumbai CSMT–Madgaon Vande Bharat Express which was scheduled for 3 June was cancelled.[39] The Ministry of Civil Aviation directed airlines to ensure that airfares do not surge due to increased travel demands.[40] Bus fares in the region, however, showed a steep rise.[41]

Two trains, the SMVT Bengaluru–Howrah SF Express and a special train, arrived at Howrah on 3 June with 643 passengers. Arrangements were made for the passengers' medical needs at the station. The critically injured had already been hospitalised in Balasore. Special buses were also arranged by the Regional Transport Office to take passengers home.[42] Another special train left from Bhadrak for Chennai with 195 stranded passengers. According to an official, it was to also board passengers of Coromandel Express at stations on the way.[43] On 3 June, a bus carrying passengers from the crash site to medical facilities in West Bengal crashed into another vehicle in West Bengal's Medinipur. Some passengers may have suffered minor injuries due to the accident.[44]

Reactions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets victims of the collision at a hospital, in Balasore, Odisha

Narendra Modi, the prime minister of India, expressed his distress over the incident and extended his thoughts to the grieving families.[45] Union Home Minister Amit Shah described the incident as "profoundly distressing".[12] The chief minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik and the chief minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee expressed their deep concern over the disaster.[46][47] Leaders from neighbouring countries of India and across the world expressed their condolences for the loss of life, and extended support to India.[48][49]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Dash, Jatindra; V, Abinaya (3 June 2023). "At least 261 dead in India's worst train accident in over two decades". Reuters. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Coromandel Express Accident: LIC eases claims rules for families of Odisha train accident victims". Sampar Kindia. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  3. ↑ "More than 280 dead, hundreds hurt in India triple train crash". The New Arab Staff & Agencies. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Train Crash: PM Promises Stringent Action Against Guilty; Death Toll Mounts To 288". State Times News. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  5. ↑ "Breaking News Live Updates - 03 June 2023: Death Toll Rises to 294 in Odisha Train Accident". News18. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  6. ↑ "Toll in Odisha train tragedy reaches 280, many still trapped". India Today. 3 June 2023.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Coromandel express accident live: Death toll in Odisha train accident rises to 237". The Times of India. 3 June 2023. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  8. ↑ Maqbool, Rafiq (3 June 2023). "India train crash kills over 280, injures 900 in one of nation's worst rail disasters". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  9. ↑ Dash, Jatindra; V, Abinaya (3 June 2023). "India's worst train crash in decades kills at least 288". Reuters. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  10. ↑ "Several trains cancelled after railway accident in Odisha". The Times of India. 2 June 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  11. ↑ "India train crash: More than 230 dead after Odisha incident". BBC News. 2 June 2023. Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 "India train crash: More than 280 dead after Odisha incident". BBC. 3 June 2023. Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  13. ↑ "Photos: 70+ killed, over 600 injured in Balasore triple train crash in Odisha". Hindustan Times. 3 June 2023. Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  14. ↑ "Odisha train accident: Deadly India crash in photos". BBC News. 3 June 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  15. ↑ Mogul, Rhea; Sidhu, Sandi; Rebane, Teele; Suri, Manveena; Goodwin, Allegra (3 June 2023). "Desperate search for survivors as death toll nears 300 in India train crash". CNN. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "288 Dead, 803 Injured After Horrific Three-Train Crash In Odisha". NDTV.com. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  17. ↑ "1981 Bihar to 2023 Balasore train accident in Odisha, here are India's deadliest rail accidents". The Economic Times. 3 June 2023.
  18. ↑ "Bengaluru-Howrah Express Train Accident: No One From Reserved Coaches Injured or Dead". TimesNow. 3 June 2023. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  19. ↑ "Odisha tragedy: How the 3 trains collided into each other". The Times of India. 3 June 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  20. ↑ "Odisha tragedy: Preliminary enquiry indicates signalling failure caused train accident". Firstpost. 3 June 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  21. ↑ "Odisha three-train accident: 288 dead in India's worst train tragedy since 1995; survivors recount horrors".
  22. ↑ Staff, Scroll (4 June 2023). "Odisha train accident: Railways got two warnings in 6 months on faulty signalling, poor track repair". Scroll.in. Archived from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  23. ↑ Jain, Meetu (4 June 2023). "CAG Report on Derailments Hard to Square With PMO Claims on Prioritising Rail Safety". The Wire. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  24. ↑ Mudur, G.S. (4 June 2023). "Odisha train accident: Safety funds fall short amid Indian govt's focus on speed". The Telegraph. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  25. ↑ "Odisha Train Accident: Check complete list of helpline numbers issued so far". livemint.com. 3 June 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  26. ↑ "Odisha Train Accident: Check complete list of helpline numbers issued so far". tamil.oneindia.com (in தமிழ்). 3 June 2023. Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  27. ↑ "Rescue Teams At Odisha Train Crash Site, Ops To Last 3 More Hours: Official". NDTV.com. Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  28. ↑ Sharma, Ashok (2 June 2023). "More than 200 killed and 900 hurt after 2 trains derail in India; hundreds still trapped in coaches". AP News. Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  29. ↑ "Balasore train disaster: Century's biggest, says Mamata Banerjee". The Times of India. 3 June 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  30. ↑ "Odisha Train Accident: Tamil Nadu Govt Sends Ministerial Delegation to Coordinate Rescue". News 18. 3 June 2023. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 "Odisha train crash: 'Signal was given and taken off'; toll nears 290. Top points". Hindustan Times. 3 June 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 "Survivors recount 'haunting' scenes as country demands answers – latest". The Independent. 3 June 2023. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 "Odisha tragedy: Balasore hospitals crumble under a deluge of patients". Hindustan Times. 4 June 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 "Odisha train tragedy: School becomes morgue, identifying dead a big challenge". The Indian Express. 3 June 2023. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  35. ↑ "Odisha tragedy: What we know so far after accident involving three trains". Hindustan Times. 2 June 2023. Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  36. ↑ Luxmi, Bhagya (3 June 2023). "'This is not time to do politics', Vaishnaw reacts to Banerjee's claim over death toll in Balasore tragedy". www.indiatvnews.com. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  37. ↑ "Odisha train accident: CM Naveen Patnaik declares one-day state mourning". Hindustan Times. 3 June 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  38. ↑ "Odisha train accident: Tamilnadu Announced Compensation". News 18. 3 June 2023. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  39. ↑ "Flagging off function of Goa-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express cancelled following Odisha train tragedy". The Times of India. 2 June 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  40. ↑ "Train tragedy: Ensure no surge in Orissa airfares, don't charge penalty from affected, government directs airlines". The Times of India. 3 June 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  41. ↑ "Odisha Train Accident Bus fares skyrocket as demand peaks after trains get cancelled". ETV Bharat News. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  42. ↑ "Howrah station turns into a hospital as train with those who cheated death arrives". The Indian Express. 3 June 2023. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  43. ↑ "Odisha rail accident: 1,200 stranded passengers to arrive at Howarh on Saturday". The Economic Times. 3 June 2023. ISSN 0013-0389. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  44. ↑ "Bus carrying passengers from Balasore crash site meets with accident in Bengal". India Today. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  45. ↑ "PM Modi Announces Rs 2 Lakh For Families Of Odisha Accident Victims". NDTV.com. Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  46. ↑ "Odisha train accident: Bengal government announces measures to aid passengers and kin in distress". www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  47. ↑ "Coromandel Express accident Live Updates: PM Modi to visit Odisha accident site today, will meet injured at Cuttack hospital". The Indian Express. 2 June 2023. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  48. ↑ "Odisha Train Accident: World Leaders Pay Condolences To Victims". Zee News. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  49. ↑ "Odisha train tragedy: World leaders extend support to India, condole loss of lives". Hindustan Times. 3 June 2023. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.

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