Odisha Triple Train Crash: Rescue Operation Complete & Restoration Work Begins, Says Railways Spokesperson

Bhubaneswar: The rescue operation in the deadly triple train mishap in Odisha’s Balasore has been completed and the restoration work started at the site on Saturday,

According to railways spokesperson Amitabh Sharma, more than 100 people affected in the horrific accident have so far claimed ex-gratia payments.

“The rescue operation has been completed, now we are starting the restoration work,” he was quoted by ANI as saying. As of now 48 trains cancelled, 39 diverted and 10 short-terminated following the mishap that took place on Friday night.

“As of now, more than 100 people have claimed ex-gratia payments. Counters for the same have been set up at three places-Balasore, Soro and Bahanaga Bazar,” he said.

Sharms reportedly said that the anti-train collision system was not available on this route.

NDRF engaged nine teams at the site – seven from Odisha and two from West Bengal.

Huge cranes and bulldozers were brought in to raise the mangled coaches that turned to be a huge heap of steel boxes. Rescue workers wielded gas torches and electric cutters to pull out the dead bodies and hunt for the survivors.

Meanwhile, the death toll in the accident involving two express trains — Bengaluru-Howrah Express and Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express — and a goods train has risen to 288, according to latest estimates by South Eastern Railway.

More than 900 injured have been rushed to different hospitals in Balasore and nearby districts.

The incident took place around 7 pm when Coromandel Express, heading to Chennai, derailed and hit a goods train, after which many coaches of the passenger train flipped over and fell on the opposite track. The Yesvantpur-Howrah Superfast coming from the opposite side then collided with the derailed coaches. Both trains were moving at a high speed at the time of the collision.