Odisha Train Tragedy: A Grim Day in Balasore
—By a Staff Reporter
Balasore, Odisha, 3rd June 2023: On the fateful evening of June 3, 2023, Balasore, Odisha witnessed a tragic train collision, claiming 288 lives and leaving over 1,100 injured. The Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, and a stationary goods train collided near Bahanaga Bazar station around 6:30 pm. Preliminary investigations revealed that the Coromandel Express mistakenly entered the loop line, colliding with the parked goods train. Subsequently, the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express collided with the scattered coaches. A witness described the scene as horrifying, with handless and legless bodies scattered everywhere.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with injured passengers rushed to nearby hospitals. Several trains were cancelled or diverted due to restoration work. The Indian Railways announced ex-gratia payments for the next of kin of the deceased and compensation for the injured. A high-level committee has been formed to inquire into the Balasore tragedy, seeking to understand and prevent such devastating accidents in the future.
