The death toll in the horrific train accident in Odisha on Friday evening has risen to 233. At the same time, around 900 people were injured. In view of the seriousness of the accident, rescue and relief work is going on on a war footing, and the army has also been deployed in rescue operations. Indian Army Colonel SK Dutta told reporters that the army has been engaged in relief and rescue operations since last night and that more army personnel have been called from Kolkata.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan have also reached the spot. At the same time, 42 trains going to Howrah have been cancelled after the accident. At the same time, the routes of many trains have been changed.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav inspects the spot. The Railway Minister also reviewed the relief and rescue operations.
Today is the 100th birth anniversary of M Karunanidhi, the founder of DMK in Tamil Nadu and former CM of the state. DMK had planned to organize many programs regarding this, but due to the train accident, these programs have been postponed on Saturday.
#WATCH | Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw thanks NDRF officials who are actively engaged in the search and rescue operation in #Balasore#OdishaTrainTragedy pic.twitter.com/AcQvmexrr8
— ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2023
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has declared one day mourning due to the accident. There will be no celebration during this time. BJP President JP Nadda has also canceled all the programs of BJP.
The Railway Minister said that at present our focus is on relief and rescue operations. The repair work will start soon after the clearance. Some dead bodies are still trapped in many train bogies that have become junk, which are being extracted.
Railway minister said this about the accident
The Railway Minister who reached the spot said that this is a painful accident. Railways, NDRF, SDRF and the state government are engaged in rescue operations. Better health facilities are being provided. The compensation was announced yesterday. A high level committee has been formed to investigate the accident. Along with this, the Railway Safety Commissioner will also visit the spot and investigate what was the reason for the accident.
#WATCH | It’s a big tragic accident. Railway, NDRF, SDRF, and State govt are conducting the rescue operation. Best possible healthcare facilities will be provided. Compensation was announced yesterday. A high-level committee has been formed to inquire about it: Railways Minister… pic.twitter.com/gtSTn4v1nX
— ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2023
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is also going to reach the spot
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is also about to leave his Kolkata tour midway and reach the site of the train accident. It is believed that he will reach the spot shortly.
#WATCH | “Our 6 teams are working here since last night. Our dog squad, and medical team are also engaged in the rescue operation,” says Jacob Kispotta, Senior Commandant, NDRF#BalasoreTrainAccident pic.twitter.com/Sjuep3ZLeq
— ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2023
Six teams of NDRF deployed
NDRF Senior Commandant Jacob Kispotta, who is engaged in relief and rescue operations at the site of the train accident, said that six of our teams are working at the spot since last night. Along with this, dog squad and medical teams are also engaged in rescue operations.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav reached the spot. The Railway Minister has ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident.
#WATCH | Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reaches accident spot in #Balasore where three trains collided yesterday claiming the lives of 233 people and injuring around 900#OdishaTrainTragedy pic.twitter.com/sevsPnEd1r
— ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2023
Odisha Train Accident Live: Railway Minister orders high-level inquiry into accident, death toll rises to 233
This is how the train accident happened
According to reports, the Bengaluru Howrah Superfast Express train was derailed on Friday evening. Due to which some of its bogies fell on the parallel track. Meanwhile, the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express arrived on the parallel track and rammed into the bogies of the derailed Bengaluru Howrah Superfast Express. The Chennai-bound Coromandel Express derailed after the collision and some of its bogies collided with a goods train.
