In a tragic accident that unfolded on Friday evening, at least 55 passengers lost their lives, while around 600 others were injured in a devastating collision involving three trains at the Bahanaga Bazar station in Balasore district, Odisha. The incident prompted a massive overnight rescue operation, with multiple agencies working tirelessly to save lives and recover victims from the debris.
Authorities have expressed concerns that the death toll may rise as many passengers remain trapped amidst the wreckage. A senior railway official stated, “We don’t know for sure what the toll will look like. Once everyone is out of the debris, we will know how many people died in this tragedy. But the numbers will definitely soar.”
The sequence of events began when two carriages of the Sir M Visveswaraya Terminal-Howrah Superfast Express derailed near the Bahanaga Bazar Station, approximately 140 km from Kharagpur, within the Kharagpur division of the South Eastern Railway, at around 7:10 pm. Concurrently, the Chennai-bound Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express, traveling on a parallel track, collided with the derailed carriages at a high speed.
The impact of the collision caused 12 coaches of the Coromandel Express to derail, with some of the displaced carriages striking a stationary goods train on a neighboring track. The scene of devastation prompted immediate rescue efforts, led by Balasore collector Dattatraya Shinde, who estimated that over 200 passengers were trapped in the affected train.
Local residents, demonstrating immense bravery, commenced rescue operations, pulling injured passengers from the mangled coaches before the arrival of official rescue teams. Approximately 50 individuals were thrown from the train through shattered windows and doors, highlighting the force of the collision.
Pratap Chandra Sarangi, Member of Parliament for Balasore and former Union minister, expressed shock at the scale of the tragedy, labeling it an “unprecedented tragedy” with a staggering loss of life and injuries. As news of the accident spread, the railway ministry announced compensation measures, including Rs 10 lakh to the families of those who died, Rs 2 lakh to the severely injured, and Rs 50,000 to those with minor injuries.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, en route to the crash site, expressed his condolences to the affected families and affirmed that all necessary resources and personnel would be mobilized for the ongoing rescue operation. Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena reported that over 350 individuals had been hospitalized, and the government had prepared hospitals along the Balasore-Bhubaneswar route to accommodate the injured.
In response to the disaster, CM Naveen Patnaik announced his plans to visit the crash site personally the following day to oversee the ongoing rescue efforts. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force both deployed four teams to provide assistance. Additionally, helplines were established by the railways and the Odisha government to offer information and support to concerned individuals seeking updates on the passengers.
The nation mourns the loss of lives in this tragic incident, and condolences poured in from all quarters. President Droupadi Murmu expressed deep anguish and extended her sympathies to the bereaved families. As rescue operations continue, authorities and the community stand united in their determination to bring relief to the affected and support those impacted by this heartbreaking event.
