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

Rescue workers search for survivors at the site of a train collision after the accident in Balasore district.

Balasore train accident LIVE updates: Nearly 300 people were killed and over 800 have been injured in a horrific train derailment that occurred on Friday evening at around 7 pm in Odisha's Balasore. The derailment of 10 to 12 coaches of the Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express caused them to fall onto the opposite track. Subsequently, the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express collided with the derailed coaches, leading to the derailment of three to four of its own coaches. Adding to the tragedy, a goods train was also involved in the crash.

List of trains cancelled, diverted after Coromandel Express mishap in Odisha

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Saturday that he has ordered a high-level probe into the derailment. "The accident was unfortunate, and the rescue operation began shortly after the incident was reported to his ministry," the minister said, as quoted by ANI. The railway ministry has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 10 lakh to the kin of the deceased, Rs. 2 lakh to those severely injured, and Rs. 50,000 to those who sustained with minor injuries.