Tragic Train Crash in Balasore Claims 288 Lives, Leaves Over 1,100 Injured
-- By a Staff Reporter
Balasore, Odisha, 3rd June, 2023: A devastating train crash in Balasore has resulted in a staggering loss of at least 288 lives, with over 1,100 people sustaining injuries. The collision occurred between the Bengaluru-Howrah Express, the Superfast Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, and a stationary goods train near the Bahanaga Bazar station at about 6:30 pm yesterday. Preliminary investigations reveal that the Coromandel Express mistakenly entered the loop line instead of the main line, colliding with the parked goods train. Subsequently, the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express collided with the scattered coaches of the Coromandel Express on an adjacent track. A man, who witnessed the accident, said, "We rushed to the spot and saw handless and legless bodies lying everywhere. People were frantically searching for their relatives. The scene is too terrible to describe,"
The rescue operations are in full swing. The injured passengers were the nearby hospital. taken to the Several trains have been cancelled, while many were diverted as restoration work is underway. The Indian Railways has announced ex- gratia payments of Rs 10 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased, Rs 2 lakh for the severely injured, and Rs 50,000 for those with minor injuries. A high-level committee has been formed to inquire about Balasore tragedy.
