In a devastating incident that unfolded on Friday, the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, and a goods train were involved in a catastrophic collision in Odisha’s Balasore district. The accident resulted in a death toll of 275 people, with over 1,000 individuals sustaining injuries. This incident is being regarded as the deadliest railway tragedy witnessed in the past three decades.
The precise cause of the accident is still under investigation, but a preliminary probe has suggested the involvement of human error. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who visited the site on Sunday to review the ongoing restoration work, revealed that the tragic event was triggered by a change in electronic interlocking. Vaishnaw expressed deep sorrow over the loss of 288 lives and assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted to ascertain accountability.
The fateful incident occurred near the Bahanaga Bazar station when the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, en route to Chennai, derailed approximately 300 meters away from the station. The derailment caused a collision with a goods train on the adjacent track, subsequently leading to the rear carriage of the Coromandel Express veering off onto a third track. Tragically, the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, traveling at a high speed in the opposite direction along the third track, rammed into the derailed coaches.
The scale of the accident’s aftermath is truly heartbreaking. With 275 lives lost and over 1,000 people injured, the nation mourns the tremendous loss. The incident has raised concerns regarding the safety and operational protocols within the railway system. As a result, the Railway Board has recommended a CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) probe to thoroughly examine the circumstances leading up to the accident.
This horrific train collision serves as a somber reminder of the need for stringent safety measures and constant vigilance to prevent such tragic incidents from occurring in the future. The nation waits anxiously for the results of the investigation, hoping for answers and reassurance that appropriate actions will be taken to prevent a recurrence of this magnitude.