Odisha train tragedy: 31 casualties reported from West Bengal so far, 120 brought back to state

At least 31 casualties from West Bengal have been reported and identified in the aftermath of the triple-train accident in Odisha’s Balasore.

The disastrous train collision, involving two passenger trains and one goods train, claimed no less than 288 lives and more than 900 injuries since Friday evening.

The trains involved in the collision were — Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express and a goods train.

Around 544 people from Bengal are said to be injured in the accident that has jolted the nation.

A total of 70 ambulances had been sent to Balasore until 12 pm on Saturday. 34 doctors from the state went to the train accident site while 10 buses were sent to bring back the injured passengers.

120 passengers have been brought back to West Bengal in 20 ambulances, out of which, 11 injured have been admitted to hospitals in the state.

West Bengal CM alleges negligence in Odisha train accident
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Saturday visited the accident site in Odisha. She also met Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

“Had they put an anti-collusion device here, so many people would not have died,” the TMC supremo said before the railway minister.

“There was no anti-collision device in the Coromandel Express. When I was the Railway Minister, I introduced an anti-collision device that ensured trains running on the same track stop at a certain distance. Now, when you (Ashwini Vaishnaw) are here, I want to point out that there was no anti-collision device on this train. This incident could have been avoided with the implementation of such technology,” Mamata Banerjee said.

ODISHA TRAIN TRAGEDY
One of the most disastrous train tragedies in the history of the country, the Odisha train tragedy took place near Bahanaga Baazar station in Balasore district, about 250 km south of Kolkata and 170 km north of Bhubaneswar, around 7 pm on Friday.

Several coaches of the 12864 Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, on the way to Howrah, derailed and fell on adjacent tracks, an official told PTI.

Authorities, including the Ministry of Railways, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), stated that search and rescue operations have been completed at the derailment site and that restoration work has commenced. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the aim was to resume operations by Wednesday morning.

Helpline numbers have been issued by the authorities.