Coromandel Express Accident: Death Toll Crosses 70; PM Announces ₹2 Lakh Ex-Gratia for Families of Deceased

Balasore: In a tragic incident that occurred this evening, a passenger train collided with derailed coaches of another train in Balasore, Odisha. The accident has claimed the lives of over 70 individuals, while more than 450 others have sustained injuries. Rescue officials fear that the casualty count may increase as many individuals are still feared to be trapped. Additionally, a third freight train was also involved in the mishap, as confirmed by Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced ex-gratia compensation to the victims and their families from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund, offering ₹2 lakh to the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 to those injured in the incident. The situation is being closely monitored as rescue efforts persist.

An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased in the train mishap in Odisha. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 2, 2023

The unfortunate event unfolded when several coaches of the Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express, travelling from Howrah to Chennai, derailed and toppled onto the adjacent tracks. Subsequently, the Yashwantpur-Howrah Superfast Express, approaching from the opposite direction, collided with the derailed coaches, as stated by Railway Ministry spokesperson Amitabh Sharma to NDTV. The two trains involved in the incident were identified as train numbers 12841 (Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express) and 12864 (Yashwantpur-Howrah Superfast Express).

Fifteen coaches of the Coromandel Express veered off the tracks, while two coaches of the Yashwantpur-Howrah Superfast Express also derailed. To address the aftermath of the accident, Sudhanshu Sarangi, the chief of Odisha Fire Services, is overseeing the ongoing rescue operations. Medical colleges and hospitals in the vicinity of Balasore have been alerted, and a fleet of 60 ambulances has been deployed to provide medical assistance.

The National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) and the local state counterpart have dispatched over a hundred personnel to search for trapped passengers and clear the debris obstructing their access. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted about her personal monitoring of the situation in collaboration with the Chief Secretary and other senior officials.

Responding to the tragedy, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has instructed Revenue Minister Pramila Malik to visit the accident site.