Odisha train tragedy key developments: Govt orders high-level probe, rescue operations continue at crash site | India News
More than 900 people were injured at the site of the blast, according to officials. accident.
How did the triple train accident happen?
The accident happened when several carriages of 12864 Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, en route to Howrah, derailed and fell onto adjacent tracks.
The derailed carriages then collided with 12841 Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express and its carriages also overturned.
Another freight train was also involved in the accident when several cars of the Coromandel Express, bound for Chennai, collided with its cars after derailed.
According to officials, the track was almost destroyed on the spot as the overturned carriages were scattered with some being placed on another carriage.
Some trainers also suffered turtle deformities from the impact.
The fourth fatal train crash in India, occurred near Bahanaga Baazar station in Balasore district, about 250 km south of Kolkata and 170 km north of Bhubaneswar, at around 7pm on Friday.
Here’s a look at the top developments in the story so far –
railway ministerhigh-level exploration order
railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw ordered a high-level investigation into the accident. I come to visit train accident website and says that the main focus now is on rescue and relief operations.
“A detailed high-level investigation will be conducted and the rail safety commissioner will also conduct an independent investigation,” Vaishnaw said.
“The restoration will begin after approval from the county government,” he added.
He said in a tweet late on Friday that rescue teams had been mobilized from Bhubaneswar of Odisha and Kolkata in West Bengal.
In addition, three teams from the National Disaster Response Force are at the site of the accident and six more are being mobilized, the country’s National Disaster Response Force said.
CM Patnaik visits the scene of the accident
Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik on Saturday visited the site of the train crash to grasp the situation on the ground.
He declared national mourning a day after the train crash where three people died.
Rescue operations continue
Rescue operations are underway at the crash site.
Officials in Bhubaneswar said 200 ambulances, 50 buses and 45 mobile medical units were working at the crash site, in addition to 1,200 staff members.
The bodies were brought to the hospital by various means, including tractors.
Gas cutters were used to remove bodies from under derailed carriages.
Disaster managers and firefighters are busy trying to free the bodies.
Some trains canceled, some diverted
Railway authorities on Saturday canceled 49 trains and redirected 38 trains to a different route.
Even as rescue operations are underway at the accident site, 20 trains have been halted due to the incident.
The cause of the train crash has yet to be determined.
helpline number
Odisha government has issued helpline 06782-262286. The railway helplines are 033-26382217 (Howrah), 8972073925 (Kharagpur), 8249591559 (Balasore) and 044-25330952 (Chennai).
(With input from agencies)
