Odisha tragedy Highlights: Driver error ruled out; those behind 'criminal' act identified, says railways

Railway Minister Ashwani Vaishnav gets emotional while giving byte on restoring both the main rail line , says the responsibility is not over yet.

Odisha Chief Secretary PK Jena on Sunday said his government has no intention to hide the deaths in the Balasore train crash and the entire rescue operation was being conducted in full public view, PTI reported.

Reacting to allegations that the death toll figure was being manipulated, he said Odisha believes in transparency.

Hitting out at the Opposition for demanding the resignation of Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in wake of the train accident in Odisha, Telangana BJP spokesperson NV Subhash on Saturday asked the Congress to stop politising the matter, ANI reported.

Subhash said that it is not the time to play politics over such a tragic incident. Instead, all political parties should come forwards and extend their support in rescue and relief operations.

Railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who has been camping at the accident site, tweeted in the evening to inform that the “Track linking of Up-line has been done at 16:45 hrs. Overhead electrification work started”. Read more

Uttar Pradesh Congress office-bearers and workers on Sunday offered their prayers and condolences to the victims of the horrific train accident in Odisha, reports PTI.

At least 275 people were killed and over 1,100 others were injured in the Friday accident involving two passenger trains and a stationary goods train.

“The downline track is ready, major damages were in the upline track. In next few hours, we are expecting to restore. All investigations will be done parallelly. The railway team is working continuously,” said Aditya Kumar Chaudhary, chief public relations officer of Southeastern Railway. 

Railways minister has recommended a CBI probe into Balasore train accident. Politics shouldn't be done at the moment, politicians must understand their responsibility: Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan. 

The railways on Sunday virtually ruled out driver error and system malfunction, indicating a possible "signalling interference" and hinting at "sabotage" and tampering of the electronic interlocking system behind the triple train accident that claimed 275 lives in Odisha, reported PTI. 

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has sought a CBI enquiry into the accident. However, officials said the inquiry by the commissioner of railway safety (CRS) would continue.

We inspected the hospital where people are getting treatment after train accident. We got to know that no Tamilians were admitted at the hospital. None of the Tamil Nadu passengers lost their lives there as of now, all are safe: Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi Stalin was quoted as saying by ANI. 

“28 out of 127 people who had booked to travel by train were Tamils. Out of which 21 were found to be fine. Rest are also fine confirmed by people who are with them. This accident should not have happened, the Union Government should find out what caused this damage and take appropriate action,” said Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin. 

The railways on Sunday said that even ticketless travellers on board the passenger trains involved in the Odisha accident will receive compensation. This is in line with a Supreme Court order, officials said. Read full story here

Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday said the railway board has recommended a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation or CBI into the horrific three-train collision in Odisha's Balasore district on Friday night in which more than 270 people died. Read more

UN chief António Guterres deeply saddened by the loss of life and injury in a train accident in Odisha: UN Spokesperson

Railway track trial underway at the site of Balasore train accident as restoration work is underway, reported ANI. As per Railway Board, at least two railway lines are expected to be operational by 8pm today.

“Yesterday both Railway Minister and Dharmendra Pradhan were standing with me but I didn't say anything, I could have said a lot because I myself have been Railway Minister... Why Coromandel Express and Bengaluru-Howrah Express didn't have Anti Collision Device? Railways have been left only to be sold,” said West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. 

Industrialist Gautam Adani on Sunday announced that the Adani Group will take the responsibility of school education of children who have lost their parents in the tragic Odisha train accident in which over 270 people have died. Read full story

Railways minister Ashwini Vaishnav informed that overhead electrification of a track at accident site has started. 

The state government will give ₹5 lakh to the families of the deceased, ₹1 lakh to the seriously injured, will provide them complete treatment and will also help them for 3 months. The state government will give ₹25,000 to those who have suffered minor injuries: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. 

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said PM Modi was busy flagging off trains while not paying attention to railway safety, reported news agency PTI. Kharge also called for fixing accountability of all posts from top to bottom to prevent such accidents. 

62 people from West Bengal died in this accident. 206 people are being treated in the state. 73 people from the state are admitted to various hospitals in Odisha. While 56 people from West Bengal have been discharged from the hospitals in Odisha. 182 people are yet to be identified: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee.

“This is a very unfortunate incident. The day it happened, we sent 150 ambulances, 50 doctors, nurses, buses and disaster management teams to the accident site. We are fully supporting the Odisha government,” siad West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. 

"My prayer go to the many victims of the train accident that occurred two days ago (June 2) in India. I express my closeness to the injured and their families. May the Heavenly Father welcome the souls of the deceased into his kingdom," said Pope Francis, reported Reuters.

Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya, union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan visit Srirama Chandra Bhanja Medical College and Hospital.