Odisha train accident highlights: Toll tops 290, nearly 400 still in hospitals

While railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw ordered a high-level investigation into the triple train crash in Odisha that led to the deaths of over 230 people while over 900 were left injured, a political blame game started with the opposition leaders blaming 'signalling failure' for the consecutive crashes involving Chennai-bound Coromandel Express, Howrah-bound Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express and a goods train. Read more

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida sent the condolence message to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the train accident in Odisha, India.

“I am deeply saddened by the news of the loss of many precious lives and the injuries in the train accident in the State of Odisha. On behalf of the Government of Japan and people, I would like to express our heartfelt condolences to those who lost their lives and their bereaved families. I also pray for the speedy recovery of those who were injured,” he said.

A special train carrying stranded passengers from Odisha's Bhadrak has left for Chennai following the Balasore train accident.

The special train C P13671 EX-BBS-MAS carrying 250 passengers started at 8: 40 AM on Saturday and will halt at all scheduled stops of train no 12841. The special train is scheduled to reach Chennai Central Railway station tentatively at 9 AM on Sunday, mentioned an official statement.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee leaves for Odisha's Balasore. She will take stock of the situation and meet the injured there.

The Coromandel Express train accident in Balasore district of Odisha, in which as many as 288 persons have died so far, could have been a driving error, initial reports emerging from the signaling control room of the railways stated. Read more

According to PMO sources, PM Modi will first visit the accident site and then go to the hospital where the victims are admitted. Read more

The rescue operation has been completed, now we are starting the restoration work. Kawach was not available on this route, says Railway spokesperson Amitabh Sharma

As of now, more than 100 people have claimed ex-gratia payments. Counters for the same have been set up at three places-Balasore, Soro and Bahanaga Bazar...As of now 48 trains cancelled, 39 diverted and 10 short-terminated: Amitabh Sharma, Executive Director, Information Publication Railway Board

Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik has expressed grief over the tragic incident. He thanked the local teams, local people and others who have worked overnight to save people from the wreckage.

“Saddened to hear about the tragic train accident in Odisha. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families who lost their loved ones and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured,” Virat Kohli said in a tweet.

Deepest condolences to the families of the victims of the tragic train derailment in Odisha. Speedy recovery to the injured, says Russian ambassador to India

Foreign Ministers of Australia and Sri Lanka on Saturday condoled the loss of lives in the Odisha triple train mishap in Balasore that claimed 238 people and injured over 900.

Australia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Penny Wong said that her thoughts are with the people who have been injured and with the emergency personnel who are working to assist them.

Penny Wong tweeted, "We send our deepest sympathies following the devastating train crash in India's eastern Odisha state. Our thoughts are also with the many injured, and with the emergency personnel working to assist them."

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry said that he is "deeply saddened" to learn about the train accident in Odisha. He wished for a speedy recovery for all those affected in the accident.

NDRF DG Atul Karwal explained how the tragic three-way train accident took place which led to the crushing of train coaches. “This is the third such major incident in our history. The force with which the three trains collided with each other resulted in several coaches getting crushed & being in a mangled condition there. It is a challenge to cut through them & get inside to ensure that the live victims are not affected,” he told ANI.

“Praying for everyone affected by the train accident in India. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families, and hope that rescue operations can save all those in need,” Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen said in a tweet.

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau expresses deepest condolences to those who lost loved ones. “I’m keeping the injured in my thoughts,” he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has convened a meeting to review the situation in relation to the rail accident: Govt of India Sources. (ANI)

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will visit the train accident site in Balasore in neighbouring Odisha on Saturday, a senior official said.

Banerjee, the official said, had a conversation with her Odisha counterpart Naveen Patnaik over the telephone in connection with the accident on Friday night.

The Bengal CM monitored the situation almost the entire night from her Kalighat residence and expressed her shock over the tragic incident where three trains derailed one on top of another in a horrific sequence, killing at least 233 people and injuring more than 900 in Odisha's Balasore district.

The train accident in Odisha is unfortunate. We are talking to the railway officials and collecting the details of the victims from Andhra Pradesh. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I pray to God to give them peace of mind, CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy

Indian Army has been deployed to assist in the evacuation and treatment of injured citizens. Army medical and engineering teams with ambulances & support services have been deployed from the Eastern Command. The teams have been routed from multiple bases so as to reach the place of the incident as early as possible.

“This is an unfortunate incident, the railway department should investigate it, and action should be taken against those who are guilty. Railways should give importance to the lives of the passengers. Earlier railway minister used to resign on such train accidents, but now no one is ready to speak,” says NCP leader Ajit Pawar

East Coast Railway has released a set of helpline numbers. 

"The train accident in Odisha is heart-rending. I pray to God that may the soul of the deceased rest in peace and the bereaved families have strength in this hour of grief," says Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami

Check out the list of trains cancelled, diverted and short terminated due to Balasore train accident.

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin takes stock of the situation at the State Emergency Operation Centre in Chennai. “We're going there to enquire for details. Tamil Nadu CM has spoken to Odisha CM. I will update you after reaching the spot. Hospital facilities are also ready for Tamilians in Tamil Nadu who got affected by Train accident,” TN minister Udhayanidhi Stalin said.

As per the information received till now, there are 238 casualties. Around 650 injured passengers have been taken to the Hospitals of Gopalpur, Khantapara, Balasore, Bhadrak and Soro, said the South Eastern Railway