Balasore, June 5, 2023 – The Coromandel Express, a passenger train running between Chennai and Shalimar, derailed near Bahanaga Bazar station in Odisha’s Balasore district on Friday evening, killing 288 people and injuring over 800 others.
The train was carrying over 1,200 passengers when it derailed at around 7:30 pm. The derailment was caused by a signalling fault, according to initial reports.
The derailed coaches of the Coromandel Express then hit a stationary goods train, causing further damage. The impact of the collision was so severe that several coaches were completely mangled.
Rescue workers are still working to recover the bodies of the victims and to treat the injured. The death toll is expected to rise as more bodies are recovered.
The Prime Minister has expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and has ordered an inquiry into the accident.
The accident has caused widespread shock and grief in India. The Coromandel Express is one of the most popular trains in the country and is used by millions of people every year.
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The derailment is a major tragedy and has once again raised questions about the safety of India’s railways. The government has promised to take steps to improve safety and prevent such accidents from happening in the future.