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Sat, 03 June 2023

Odisha train tragedy: Navy deploys medical team

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Injured in the Odisha's Balasore train accident arrive by a special train at Howrah railway station in West Bengal/ANI

22:30 Odisha train tragedy: Navy deploys medical team

The Indian Navy has deployed medical teams in Odisha's Balasore district to support the local administration in treatment of those injured in the horrific accident involving three trains.

Navy officials said the Indian Navy is working in close coordination with Odisha's state administration to provide medical relief and support to the injured.

The accident claimed at least 288 lives and left 803 injured, in one of the worst railway tragedies in the country.

"A medical and support team of 43 personnel including surgical specialist and medical assistants, ambulances and support services from INS Chilka were dispatched last night and are presently attending to the injured, extending immediate medical relief and OT (Operation Theatre) facilities at the district headquarters hospital at Balasore," said a Navy official.

INS Chilka in Odisha is the Indian Navy's premier training institute.

"A medical camp has also been set up by the naval medical relief team at Gangadhar Kalyan Mandap at Balasore for treating the non critical patients. The Naval team is also providing assistance and support to Odisha civil administration in evacuation and rescue of injured citizens," the official said. -- PTI

Investigators were on Saturday looking into any human error, signal failure and other possible causes behind the three-train crash in Odisha's Balasore district as officials submitted a preliminary inquiry report into the worst rail accident in India in nearly three decades that left at least 288 people dead and over 1,100 injured.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the accident site and was briefed by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw as well as officers of the disaster management teams.

He also met some of the injured in the hospital.

"I do not have words to express my pain... No one would be spared and strong action would be taken against those found guilty. Instructions have been given to ensure proper and speedy investigation of the tragedy," Modi said, adding that more focus will be given to the security of rail passengers.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that a signal was given to Coromandel Express to enter the main line but it was taken off and the train entered the loop line, where it crashed into a goods train parked there.

The Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express which was coming at high speed crashed into the coaches of Coromandel Express that had scattered on the adjacent track. -- PTI

Slamming the Centre over the train accident in Odisha, the Aam Aadmi Party on Saturday alleged the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government's entire focus is on "PR exercise and showing off" and not passengers' safety.

In a video message, AAP national general secretary (organisation) and Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak claimed anti-collision devices, which are crucial to avoid accidents, have been installed on just 2 per cent of the country's rail network.

Pathak also extended his condolences to the bereaved families.

At least 288 people were killed and more than 800 injured in a train crash involving the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express and a goods train in Odisha's Balasore district on Friday.

The two express trains were carrying nearly 2,000 people.

Pathak, who is also a member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Railways, said ensuring the safety of train passengers is not on the government's agenda.

"In the last meeting of the railway committee, I had suggested that the government focus on the safety and security of passengers first. But the government's entire focus is on PR and showing off, not on safety and security," he said. -- PTI

The viscera samples of actor Aditya Singh Rajput, who was found dead in his home on May 22, as well as his electronic devices like laptop have been sent to the Kalina Forensic Science Laboratory to ascertain the cause of death, a Mumbai police official said on Saturday.

Rajput, also a model and casting coordinator, was found dead in the bathroom of his Oshiwara home and his maid told the police he was not keeping well for two to three days prior to the incident.

"As the cause of death is reserved in his medical report, we decided to send the viscera samples and electronic devices like laptop to the Kalina FSL. We will move ahead as per the findings of the report," the official said.

The official said an accidental death report has been registered for the moment and a probe covering all angles was underway. -- PTI

Around 48 trains were cancelled, mostly in the Southern and South Eastern Railway Zones, while 39 were diverted and 10 short-terminated following the three-train accident in Odisha's Balasore on Friday in which 288 people were killed.

According to the latest data released by the two zones, the South Eastern Railway cancelled trains such as the Chennai-Howrah Mail, the Darbhanga-Kanniyakumari Express and the Kamakhya-LTT Express journey commencing on June 3.

It has also cancelled the Patna-Puri Special train with journey commencing on June 4.

The Sourthern Railway cancelled trains such as the Mangalore-Santragachi Vivek Superfast Express leaving Mangalore at 23.00 hours on June 3, Dr MGR Chennai Central Shalimar Coromandel Express leaving Chennai at 07.00 hrs on June 4, Dr MGR Chennai Central Santragachi AC Superfast train leaving Chennai at 08.10 hrs on June 4.

It also cancelled Rangapara North Erode Superfast Special leaving Rangapara North at 05.15 hrs on June 3, the Guwahati Sri M.Visveswaraya Bengaluru Tri Weekly Superfast Express leaving Guwahati at 06.20 hrs on June 6, Kamakhya Sir M.Visveswaraya Bengaluru AC Superfast Express leaving Kamakhya at 14.00 hrs on June 7. -- PTI

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19:33 Three Maoists surrender in Chhattisgarh's Sukma

Three Maoists have surrendered in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district, a police official said on Saturday.

He identified the three as 'jan militia' members Paraski Hidma, Podiam Soma and Vetti Sukka, all residents of Bheji area in the district.

"They said they were laying down arms after being impressed with the rehabilitation policy of the Chhattisgarh government and Sukma police's Puna Narottam (new morning new beginning) campaign to get ultras back in the mainstream," he added.

They surrendered before Sukma additional superintendent of police Gaurav Mandal. -- PTI

Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde

19:16 Five IAS officers transferred in Maharashtra

The Maharashtra government on Saturday effected a bureaucratic reshuffle for the second consecutive day, transferring five Indian Administrative Service officials.

A day before, as many as 20 officers had been transferred.

As per the latest notification, Anil Diggikar, vice president and chief execuive officer, MHADA, Mumbai was posted as vice chairman and managing director, CIDCO, Mumbai.

Manisha Patankar-Mhaiskar, additional chief secretary and chief protocol officer, general administration department, was posted as additional chief secretary, public works department.

She will continue to hold additional charge of her existing responsibilities. K H Govinda Raj, Additional Metropolitan Commissioner-2- MMRDA, was posted as principal secretary (2), urban development.

Sanjay Mukherjee, vice chairman and managing director, CIDCO, was posted as metropolitan commissioner, MMRDA. -- PTI

The engine drivers and guards of two trains were injured in the Odisha triple train accident and are being treated in different hospitals, a railway official said on Saturday.

The engine driver and the guard of the goods trains, however, escaped unhurt, the official added.

Coromandel Express's loco pilot and his assistant as well as the guard and Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express's guard were on the injured list.

"The loco pilot, assistant loco pilot and the guard of Coromandel Express and the guard of the Bengaluru-Howrah Express are being treated in different hospitals," senior divisional commercial manager of South Eastern Railway's Kharagpur division, Rajesh Kumar, said.

The goods train was stationed in a loop line beside the tracks through which the Coromandel Express was passing when it got derailed and some of its coaches fell on it. -- PTI

NCP chief Sharad Pawar

18:36 Pawar seeks inquiry, cites Shastri on demands for Vaishnaw's resignation

Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday demanded an inquiry into the three-train accident in Balasore in Odisha that killed more than 280 persons and injured nearly 1,000 a day earlier.

Asked about demands for the resignation of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on moral grounds post the tragedy, Pawar cited the example of then railway minister Lal Bahadur Shastri resigning after a train accident and asked "those in power" to do what is "appropriate".

The Coromandel Express, the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, carrying close to 2,000 passengers cumulatively, and a goods train were involved in a derailment-collision accident near Bahanagar Bazar station in the eastern state on Friday night.

"It is an accident and everyone has sought an inquiry. Let the facts come out and after that suggestions can be made," Pawar told reporters.

Speaking on some parties seeking the resignation of Vaishnaw, the NCP chief said, "When Lal Bahadur Shastri was the railway minister, an accident took place.

Then prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru was against Shastri's decision to resign, but Shastri believed it was his moral responsibility to quit." -- PTI

18:09 Death toll in triple train crash rises to 288

The death toll in Balasore triple train accident has risen to 288, railway officials said on Saturday.

The train crash happened near the Bahanaga Baazar station in Balasore district, about 250 km south of Kolkata and 170 km north of Bhubaneswar, around 7 pm on Friday, prompting the railway ministry to order a probe.

The inquiry into the train accident will be led by A M Chowdhary, commissioner, railway safety, South East Circle, Indian Railways said in a statement.

The commissioner, railway safety, comes under the ministry of civil aviation.

In view of the train accident in Balasore district of Odisha, the North Western Railway has issued helpline numbers for the convenience of passengers.

A spokesperson said that passengers or general public can get related information on numbers 0141-2725806 and 0141-2725804.

Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra and Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot have expressed grief over the tragic accident that took place on Friday evening. -- PTI

Twenty-three foreign nationals, including eight women from Nigeria, were arrested from Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddh Nagar district for allegedly staying illegally in India, the police said on Saturday.

The arrests were made on Friday night, they said.

Station house officer, Surajpur, inspector Awadhesh Pratap Singh said, "Last night (Friday), the police received information that some foreign nationals are living illegally in a society in the police station limits. Following this, a police team along with officials of the Regional Notification Department raided the society."

During the raid, 23 foreign nationals, including eight women from Nigeria, were arrested.

While visas of most of them had expired, some of them could not even produce passports and visas, he said.

A case has been registered in connection with the matter, he added. -- PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday arrived at the Fakir Mohan Hospital in Odisha's Balasore where some of the passengers injured in Friday's mishap involving three trains were admitted.

The PM visited the hospital after reviewing the situation at the site of the June 2 incident in which at least 261 people were killed and over 1000 people injured.

Modi flew down to the crash site in an IAF chopper at Bahanaga Bazar Station in Balasore district and was briefed by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw about the train mishap.

At the site of the mishap, the PM reviewed relief works that are underway.

He interacted with local authorities, personnel from the disaster relief forces and railways officials.

He emphasised on the 'whole of government' approach to mitigating the monumental tragedy, according to government sources.

The three-way accident involved Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Coromandel Express and goods train on three separate tracks at Bahanaga Bazar Station in Odisha's Balasore district. -- ANI

17:33 SGPC delegation meets HM Amit Shah

A delegation of senior functionaries of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee on Saturday met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and apprised him about various issues concerning the Sikh body.

The delegation gave a representation on various issues pertaining to the functioning of gurdwaras and other SGPC matters, including the inclusion of gurdwaras under the management of the SGPC Board, an official statement said.

The delegation felt that this will streamline the management of the gurdwaras.

The home minister assured the leaders of support and cooperation in these matters, the statement said. -- PTI

Preliminary investigations have revealed that the Coromandel Express train involved in a horrific rail tragedy in Odisha on Friday entered the loop line and crashed into a goods train parked there instead of the main line just ahead of the Bahanagar Bazar station, a source said.

The coaches of Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express capsized after crashing into the coaches of Coromandel Express that had scattered on the adjacent track.

While Coromandel Express was at a speed of 128 kmph, Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express was running at a speed of 116 kmph.

The report has been submitted to the Railway Board, sources said.

The loop lines of the Indian Railways are constructed in a station area -- in this case, the Bahanagar Bazar station -- to accommodate more trains to ease out the operations.

The loop lines are generally 750 metres in length to accommodate full-length goods train with multiple engines.

The two trains were carrying around 2,000 passengers.

At least 261 people have been killed in the accident and nearly 1,000 injured.

An eyewitness to the incident, Anubhav Das, also said that local authorities and railway officials had initially indicated that the train he was travelling on -- Coromandel Express -- had rammed into the goods train.

However, none of these accounts was officially confirmed by the railways. -- PTI

Balasaheb Thorat

16:40 Maha Cong leader Thorat seeks rly minister's resignation after Odisha tragedy

Senior Maharashtra Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat on Saturday demanded the resignation of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw after the massive three-train collision in Odisha a day earlier in which more than 200 people have been killed.

Addressing a press conference, Thorat said the Union government was not a sensitive one and demanded to know what had happened to the much-touted 'Kavach' anti-collision mechanism that was supposed to prevent such incidents.

"The railway minister is never seen even at the inauguration of new trains by the prime minister. He should resign after this tragic accident," Thorat demanded.

Speaking on political issues in the state, Thorat said Bharatiya Janata Party leader Pankaja Munde was being sidelined in her party and that the doors of the Congress were open for her.

"Pankaja is the daughter of late Gopinath Munde, who had excellent relations with everyone cutting across party lines. He contributed to BJP's growth in Maharashtra. It is sad she is being sidelined," he said. -- PTI

Bharatiya Janata Party MP Varun Gandhi on Saturday urged fellow parliamentarians to donate a part of their salary to help the families of victims of the Odisha train accident.

They should first get support and then justice, he said in a tweet.

Calling the disaster heart-rending, he said people will have to stand with the grief-stricken families like a rock.

"It is my request to all fellow parliamentarians that we all come forward and donate a part of our salary to help these grief stricken families to help them," Gandhi said in a tweet.

At least 261 people have been killed and nearly 1,000 injured in one of the country's worst railway tragedies. -- PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday arrived at the accident site in Odisha.

He will take stock of one of the most horrific train accidents in recent memory, which has according to latest estimates killed over 261 people and over 1000 people injured.

Modi landed in an Air Force chopper near the site of the incident at Bahanaga Bazar Station in Balasore district.

He will visit the injured at the Balasore District Hospital to meet the crash survivors.

Earlier on Saturday, Modi convened a meeting to review the situation in connection with the rail accident. -- ANI

World leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, expressed their condolences to the families and the Government of India on Saturday over the horrific train accident in Odisha in which at least 261 people were killed.

The accident, involving three trains, is one of the worst in the country and took place in Balasore district on Friday night.

The accident also injured more than 900 people.

Russian President Putin expressed his condolences in a telegram to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Please accept our deep condolences over the tragic aftermath of the train collision in Odisha. We share the grief of those who lost their relatives and close ones in this catastrophe and we hope for a speedy recovery to everyone injured," says the telegram, published on the Kremlin's website.

Japan's Prime Minister Kishida sent a condolence message to Prime Minister Modi following the train accident. "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 its 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," Kishida said in a statement.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi also sent a condolence message to Foreign Minister S Jaishankar. -- PTI

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15:28 Puja marking ceremonial beginning of Amarnath Yatra held

To mark the ceremonial beginning of the annual Amarnath Yatra, a puja was held at the cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas on Saturday.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha joined the "pratham puja" (first puja) via video conferencing.

"To mark the ceremonial beginning of the annual Amarnath Yatra, attended Pratham Puja via video conferencing. For millions of devotees all over the world pilgrimage to the holy cave of Baba Amarnath is a cherished life-long dream," Sinha tweeted.

He said the Jammu and Kashmir administration is committed to ensure that the best possible arrangements are put in place for the comfort and well-being of pilgrims.

"Dedicated efforts have been made in the last few years to bring about perceptible improvements in infrastructure and other facilities," he said.

Sinha said officials of the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board are working hard to ensure that needs and requirements of devotees are taken care of during the pilgrimage. -- PTI

Injured being treated at Medical College Hospital in Balasore/ANI

15:14 250 accident survivors leave for Chennai by train

As many as 250 passengers who survived the train crash in Odisha are arriving on a special train, with the majority of them scheduled to disembark at Chennai, a railway official said on Saturday.

Train number P/13671 has started from Bhadrak towards Chennai carrying the stranded passengers from the accident site at Bahanaga Bazaar, and it will arrive at Vijayawada by 9.30 pm, where nine passengers are scheduled to alight on Saturday night.

As per preliminary information, four passengers will disembark at Bherampur, while 41 will get off at Visakhapatnam, one in Rajamahendravaram, two in Tadepelligudem and 133 in Chennai, a Vijayawada Railway Division official from the South Central Railway zone told PTI on Saturday.

This train is expected to reach Chennai Central railway station on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the railways said that 178 Andhra Pradesh-bound passengers were on the Coromandel Express, which originated from Shalimar in West Bengal and was destined for Chennai in Tamil Nadu, when it met with an accident on Friday night in Odisha at Bahanaga Bazaar. -- PTI

Zara Hatke Zara Bachke, starring Vicky Kaushal and Sara Ali Khan, has minted Rs 5.49 crore on the opening day at the domestic box office, the makers said Saturday.

Directed by Laxman Utekar of Luka Chuppi and Mimi fame, the film debuted in theatres countrywide on Friday.

Dinesh Vijan's Maddock Films shared the movie's day one net box office collection in a poster on its social media handles.

"Kapil aur Somya sahparivaar macha rahe hain box-office par dhoom! This wouldn't have been possible without your pyaar," the studio wrote in the caption.

Set in Indore, Zara Hatke Zara Bachke is a romantic-comedy which follows the life of a married couple Kapil and Somya, played by Vicky and Sara, who are headed for a divorce. -- PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday left for Odisha to take stock of the situation in the wake of the triple train accident.

"PM Narendra Modi is leaving for Odisha where he will review the situation in the wake of the train mishap," PMO tweeted.

Earlier, Modi chaired a high-level meeting to take stock of the situation in Odisha where at least 261 people were killed in an accident involving three trains.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah was also present at the meeting called by the Prime Minister. -- ANI

The Congress on Saturday said the "horrendous" train accident in Odisha reinforces why safety should always be the foremost priority in the functioning of the rail network and asserted that there are many legitimate questions that need to be raised.

At least 261 people were killed and more than 900 injured in the train crash involving the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express and a goods train in Odisha's Balasore district on Friday.

It is one of the deadliest train crashes in the history of the Indian Railways.

Jairam Ramesh, the Congress general secretary said in a tweet that the train accident in Odisha is truly horrendous and is a matter of the greatest anguish.

"It reinforces why SAFETY should always be the foremost priority in the functioning of the rail network. There are many legitimate questions that need to be raised but that should wait till tomorrow," Ramesh tweeted. -- PTI

Films stars Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, Jr NTR and other celebrities on Saturday expressed grief over the loss of lives in a train accident in Odisha's Balasore district.

Taking to Twitter, Salman said he is "really saddened" by the unfortunate train accident.

"Really saddened to hear abt the accident. May God rest the souls of the deceased in peace. Protect n give strength to the families n the injured from this unfortunate accident," he tweeted.

Akshay said the visuals from the accident site in Odisha were "heartbreaking".

"Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. My thoughts and condolences to the families of the affected during this difficult time. Om Shanti," he added.

Jr NTR expressed his "heartfelt condolences" to the families and the loved ones of those affected.

"My thoughts are with each and every person affected by this devastating incident. May strength and support surround them during this difficult time," he tweeted.

Superstar Chiranjeevi and actor Varun Dhawan also react with shock over the accident.

Chiranjeevi made an appeal to his fans and the general public to come forward and donate blood.

"Utterly shocked at the tragic Coromandel express accident in Orissa and the huge loss of lives! My heart goes out to the bereaved families. I understand there is an urgent demand for blood units to save lives. Appeal to all our fans and good samaritans in the nearby areas to extend all possible assistance for donating life saving blood units. #BalasoreTrainAccident" he tweeted.

"Heartbreaking," wrote Varun as he shared a photo of the accident site on his Instagram Stories.

Shilpa Shetty said she is "praying for the souls of the deceased and their families".

Kriti Sanon wrote, "Praying for the speedy recovery of those injured. My heart goes out to those who lost their loved ones."

Kareena Kapoor Khan and Sonu Sood also condoled the loss of lives in the train accident.

Parineeti Chopra tweeted, "I'm praying for everyone involved in the horrible accidents in Odisha. Wishing for the families, friends and loved ones to find strength and heal as soon as possible. God bless everyone." -- PTI

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13:12 4 Maoists injured in police encounter in Chhattisgarh's Sukma

At least four Maoists were reportedly injured in an encounter with security personnel in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh on Saturday, but their colleagues managed to drag them away into a forest hideout, an official said.

The encounter took place this morning near Regadgatta village under Earrabor police station limits when a joint team of District Reserve Guard of police was out on an anti-Maoist operation, Sukma superintendent of police Kiran Chavhan said.

The operation was launched based on inputs about the presence of Maoist commander Mangdu and his team belonging to Konta area committee of Maoists in Maraiguda and Regadgatta villages, he said.

The Maoists opened fire on the patrolling team, following which the gunbattle broke out, he said. After a brief exchange of fire, the Maoists escaped into dense forest.

Three-four Maoists were reported to be injured during the gunfight, but their colleagues managed to drag them inside the forest, he said, adding that a search operation was underway in the area. -- PTI

Army columns were rushed in and Air Force helicopters deployed for relief and rescue operations for passengers injured in the triple train crash site at Bahana Nagar in Odisha, a Defence official said on Saturday.

The operations are being carried out in coordination with the railway authorities on the ground, he said.

"Army medical and engineering teams with ambulances and support services have been deployed from Eastern Command," he said.

Army columns, including engineering and medical personnel, have been rushed to the accident site from its installations at Barrackpore and Panagarh in West Bengal to the rail disaster site, the official said.

Two Mi17s were deployed for evacuation of the injured passengers, he said.

The accident, one of the deadliest in the country, has claimed 261 lives, railway official said. -- PTI

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12:43 Two-year-old girl falls into borewell in Gujarat; rescue operation underway

A two-year-old girl slipped into a borewell and was stuck at a depth of 20 feet in an agricultural field in Gujarat's Jamnagar district on Saturday following which fire department personnel launched a rescue operation, an official said.

The toddler, belonging to a tribal family working as labourers on a farm at Tamachan village, some 40 km from Jamnagar city, fell into the nearly 200-foot-deep borewell while playing, said Jamnagar taluka development officer NA Sarvaiya.

The incident occurred around 9 am, he said.

"We launched a rescue operation around 11 am involving fire department personnel from Jamnagar. The girl is stuck at a depth of around 20 feet and efforts are underway to rescue her," Sarvaiya said. -- PTI

12:21 Toll in Odisha triple train crash rises to 261

The toll in the disastrous railway accident in Odisha has risen to 261 and rescue operations at the site have been completed, a South Eastern Railway official said on Saturday.

"The number of casualties in Friday's railway accident has increased to 261. Another 650 injured passengers are being treated at various hospitals in Odisha," SER spokesperson Aditya Chowdhury said.

An enquiry into the accident will be held by the commissioner of railway safety (CRS), South Eastern circle, the official said. -- PTI

Two trains carrying around 1,200 stranded passengers of the trains involved in the gruesome accident at Bahanaga Bazar in Odisha's Balasore district will arrive at Howrah on Saturday, a South Eastern Railway official said.

While one train is coming with 1,000 passengers, another is on its way from Balasore to Howrah with around 200 stranded passengers, he said.

Necessary assistance along with food and water will be provided to the passengers at Kharagpur and Howrah stations.

At least 238 people were killed and over 900 injured in the train crash involving the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express and a goods train on Friday.

One train is also going to Chennai with 195 passengers and it will also board passengers of Coromandel Express at stations on the way, the official added. -- PTI

The Tamil Nadu government has made arrangements to ensure the return of the stranded and injured passengers from Odisha, and a high-level delegation comprising state ministers and officials have been sent to coordinate the rescue and relief activities at the accident site, Chief Minister M K Stalin said on Saturday.

About 250 passengers have boarded a special train from Bhadrak and they would reach the Dr MGR Chennai Central station on Sunday morning, an official said.

About 55 persons from Tamil Nadu who were injured in the accident involving the Shalimar-Coromandel Express, the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express and a goods train, are also being brought to the state, he added.

The chief minister, who visited the control room established at Ezhilagam, Chepauk, here on Saturday said ministers Udhayanidhi Stalin and SS Sivashankar, accompanied by revenue and transport department secretaries have already left for Odisha.

"We are yet to get more details on the number of injured and other particulars. I have sent a rescue team headed by additional DGP Sandeep Mittal to coordinate with the government there in the rescue activities," Stalin said. -- PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Saturday visit the site of the train accident in Odisha and also the Cuttack hospital where the injured are being treated.

At least 238 people were killed and more than 900 injured in the train crash involving the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express and a goods train in Odisha's Balasore district on Friday.

It is one of the deadliest train crashes in the history of the Indian Railways. Modi had earlier held a meeting here to review the situation amid the massive ongoing relief-and-rescue operation. -- PTI

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Saturday expressed grief over the loss of lives in the triple train accident in Odisha.

He offered condolences to the families of victims who lost their lives in the accident.

Taking to his official Twitter handle, Justin Trudeau stated, "The images and reports of the train crash in Odisha, India break my heart. I'm sending my deepest condolences to those who lost loved ones, and I'm keeping the injured in my thoughts. At this difficult time, Canadians are standing with the people of India."

The Odisha train accident involving two express trains -- Bengaluru-Howrah Express and Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express -- and a goods train in Balasore has claimed the lives of 238 people.

The South Eastern Railway on Saturday said that water, tea and food packets are being provided to passengers. -- ANI

Following the horrific train crash in Odisha involving the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, Railway officials in Bengaluru on Saturday said as per the latest information available, no one from the reserved coaches got injured or died, while few passengers from the general seating coach had some injuries.

The overturned GS and SLRD (brake van) coaches are still being restored and rescue works are on, they said.

At least 238 people have been killed and over 900 injured in the crash in Balasore district of Odisha on Friday involving the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express and a goods train.

Officials of the South Western Railways in Bengaluru said 994 reserved and around 300 unreserved passengers are estimated to have boarded the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express from Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal in Bengaluru.

It is learnt that 2 GS coaches and brake van of the express train that left from SMVB derailed, they said adding, "As they were unreserved coaches, it will take some time to ascertain identity of passengers. In reserved coaches, details of passengers including contact number are available in the database as they are registered during reservation of ticket." -- PTI

United States Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin will pay a two-day visit to India beginning Sunday, more than two weeks ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled trip to Washington.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Austin will hold talks on Monday on a host of issues relating to bilateral defence cooperation, the defence ministry said on Saturday.

The US Defence Secretary will arrive in India on Sunday from Singapore on a two-day visit, it said.

It will be Austin's second visit to India. His previous trip to the country was in March 2021.

The ministry said Germany's Federal Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius will also visit New Delhi for bilateral talks with Singh that will take place on June 6.

A host of bilateral defence cooperation issues, with a focus on industrial cooperation, are likely to be discussed during Singh's meetings with Austin and Pistorius, it said. -- PTI

Anubhav Das, a passenger on the Coromandel Express that was involved in a horrific triple train crash on Friday, has posted an eyewitness account of the tragedy on Twitter.

In a series of tweets, Das has described how the accident unfolded.

"As a passenger on the Coromandel Express from Howrah to Chennai, I am extremely thankful to have escaped unscathed. It probably is the biggest train accident related incident.

"Three trains were involved in the accident -- Coromandel Express 12841, Yesvantpur-Howrah SF and a goods train. Initial impressions are that the Coromandel Express derailed and collided with the goods train (parked on the loop track on the side)," he said.

Das said subsequently, the derailed coaches were hit by the oncoming Yesvantpur express on a nearby track.

In one of the tweets, he said: "3 general coaches of Yesvantpur Express are completely damaged and derailed. Almost 13 coaches of Coromandel Express including general, sleeper, AC 3 tier and AC 2 tier are completely damaged.

"Not to exaggerate but I have myself witnessed more than 200-250 deaths. Families crushed away, limbless bodies and a bloodbath on the train tracks. It was a sight that I will never forget. God help the families. My condolences."

At least 238 people have been killed and more than 900 injured in the train crash, according to officials. -- PTI

10:54 Sisodia reaches residence to meet ailing wife

Former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia arrived at his residence from the Tihar jail on Saturday, after getting interim relief to meet his ailing wife.

The Delhi high court on Friday allowed the Aam Aadmi Party leader, arrested in cases related to alleged irregularities in the city government's excise policy, to meet his ailing wife at his residence.

Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma directed the Tihar jail superintendent to take Sisodia to his residence where he has been allowed to meet his wife from 10 am to 5 pm.

A senior jail official said Sisodia was taken to his residence around 9 am under security cover. He will have to report back at 5 pm.

Sisodia was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation on February 26 for his alleged role in the scam and has been in custody since. The high court denied him bail in the CBI case on May 30.

He was arrested on March 9 in the case lodged by the Enforcement Directorate and is currently in judicial custody.

The high court made it clear that Sisodia shall not interact with the media or any other person except his family members, and also not access phone or the Internet. -- PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has convened a meeting to review the situation in relation to the Odisha train accident, government sources said on Saturday.

The accident involving three trains in Odisha's Balasore district has left at least 233 people dead so far.

Officials in Bhubaneswar said 200 ambulances, 50 buses and 45 mobile health units, besides 1,200 personnel, are working at the accident site.

United Nations General Assembly President Csaba Korosi has expressed his deepest condolence to the families and the Government of India for the tragic train crash in Odisha in which at least 233 people were killed.

On Friday, in one of the worst railway disasters in India, three trains collided one after another in a horrific sequence in Odisha's Balasore district, setting off a massive rescue and evacuation process.

The accident has killed at least 233 people and injured more than 900 others.

"I'm deeply saddened to hear the news of the train crash in Odisha, India. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and with the emergency services. Heartfelt condolences to the people and the Government of India," Korosi, the President of the 77th session of the General Assembly tweeted.

The train crash happened near the Bahanaga Baazar station in Balasore district, about 250 km south of Kolkata and 170 km north of Bhubaneswar, around 7 pm on Friday, prompting the Railway Ministry to order a probe. -- PTI

After the horrific train accident in Balasore that claimed the lives of at least 233, people queued up to donate blood for the injured in Balasore.

As per officials, as of now 233 people have died and around 900 are injured.

"I was nearby when this accident happened, we rescued around 200-300 people," said Ganesh, a local while talking to ANI.

Colonel SK Dutta of the Indian Army said that a rescue operation is underway since last night and more army personnel will be coming from Kolkata.

"We are continuously engaged (in rescue operations) since last night. More columns (of army) are coming from Kolkata," said Colonel SK Dutta while talking to ANI.

A total of around 200 ambulances; including 167 of 108 fleets and over 20 governemnt ambulances have been deployed at the spot, along with 45 Mobile Health Teams, informed officials.

In addition to this, 50 additional doctors along with a team of 25 doctors from SCB have also been mobilised.

According to officials, forensic medicine specialists (FMT) mobilized from PRM MCH, Baripada and SCB MCH have been deployed for supervising dead body disposal.

The Director of Health Services, along with the Director of Blood Safety, Additional DMET and three other Additional Directors are at Balasore and coordinating with the health teams. -- ANI

The ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal on Friday demanded Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw's resignation over the horrific triple train crash in neighbouring Odisha.

TMC's national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee alleged that the Centre was spending crores of rupees on software to spy on opposition leaders while neglecting the installation of anti-collision devices in trains to prevent such accidents.

He said the Narendra Modi government at the Centre was boasting of Vande Bharat trains and newly-constructed railway stations to bolster political support by "misleading the public", but neglecting the safety measures.

At least 70 people were killed, and more than 350 injured in the crash in Balasore district, involving the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, and a goods train, officials said.

Banerjee said it is the impoverished and marginalised people who bear the brunt of "the apathy of the Centre" and their actions, whether it is demonetisation, GST, lockdowns, farm laws or inadequate railway safety measures.

"My heart goes out to the families who lost their loved ones and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured, and if there remains a semblance of conscience, the Railway Minister should resign. NOW!" he wrote on Facebook.

The BJP accused the TMC leader of trying to politicise the tragic accident.

"When Mamata Banerjee was the railway minister, then too train accidents happened, did she resign? The answer is no. The TMC should stop politicising a tragic accident," BJP state spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said. -- PTI

The railways has initiated a high-level probe into the train crash in Odisha to be headed by the commissioner of railway safety, South Eastern Circle.

The commissioner of railway safety works under the Ministry of Civil Aviation and investigates all such accidents.

"A M Chowdhary, CRS, SE Circle, will inquire into the accident," a railway spokesperson said on Saturday.

More than 233 people have been killed and over 900 injured in the crash on Friday involving the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express and a goods train.

While it is not clear what caused the crash, sources indicate a possible signalling failure.

In February, close on the heels of a head-on collision between two goods trains in Uttar Pradesh, the railways launched a month-long safety drive to prevent accidents such as derailment and overshooting of signals by loco pilots.

Under the drive, senior officers from the Railway Board, zonal railways and divisions were instructed to visit various sections, lobbies of crews, maintenance centres, work sites etc. and carry out a "thorough review of the working practices" to check and enforce safe operational and maintenance practices prescribed to prevent accidents or unusual incidents.

The Indian Railways is in the process of installing "Kavach", an anti-train collision system, across its network.

Kavach alerts when a loco pilot jumps a signal (Signal Passed at Danger -- SPAD), which is the leading cause of train collisions. The system can alert the loco pilot, take control of the brakes and bring the train to a halt automatically when it notices another train on the same line within a prescribed distance. -- PTI

Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday visited the train accident site in Odisha's Balasore in which over 230 people were killed and about 900 injured, involving the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express and a goods train.

Vaishnaw said the main focus now is rescue and relief operations.

He said the Commissioner of Railway Safety, South East Circle will inquire into the Odisha train accident.

The cause of the train accident in Odisha will be known after the Commissioner of Railway Safety submits his report, he said.

Wielding gas torches and electric cutters, rescuers worked through the night to pull out survivors and the dead from the mangled steel of three trains that derailed one on top of another in a horrific sequence in Balasore district, officials and witnesses said Saturday.

Officials in Bhubaneswar said 200 ambulances, 50 buses and 45 mobile health units were working at the accident site, besides 1,200 personnel. The bodies were being taken to the hospitals in all kinds of vehicles, including tractors.

The train crash, the fourth deadliest in India according to available records, happened near the Bahanaga Baazar station in Balasore district, about 250 km south of Kolkata and 170 km north of Bhubaneswar, around 7 pm on Friday. -- PTI

Wielding gas torches and electric cutters, rescuers worked through the night to pull out survivors and the dead from the mangled steel of three trains that 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, officials and witnessed said Saturday.

"Death toll rises to 233 in the Balasore Train Accident," Odisha Chief Secretary PK Jena tweeted.

Several coaches of the 12864 Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, on the way to Howrah, derailed and fell on adjacent tracks, an official said.

"These derailed coaches collided with the 12841 Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express and its coaches capsized too," he said.

A goods train was also involved in the accident as some of the coaches of the Coromandel Express, which was heading to Chennai, hit its wagons after getting derailed, he added.

Gas cutters were used to extricate the bodies from under the derailed coaches. Disaster management personnel and firemen were busy at work trying to extricate bodies as dawn broke on this tiny way station on the east coast railway line.

"Some of the scenes at the site were too gory to describe," said a passenger.

Railway tracks were almost destroyed at the spot as mangled coaches lay strewn all over, with some having mounted on another, while a few coaches turned turtle due to the impact.

Pijush Poddar, a resident of Berhampore in West Bengal's Murshidabad district, was travelling to Tamil Nadu in the Coromandel Express to join work there when the accident happened.

"We were jolted and suddenly saw the train bogie turn on one side. Many of us were thrown out of the compartment by the momentum of the derailment. When we managed to crawl out, we found bodies lying all around," he said.

Locals said they heard consecutive loud sounds, following which they rushed to the spot and found the derailed coaches, which were nothing but "a mangled heap of steel".

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00:46 Pakistan repatriates three Indians who illegally crossed border Attari

Three Indians, who had illegally crossed into Pakistan and arrested by the Rangers, were repatriated on Friday, an official said.

Those released are Uttar Pradesh-resident Bablu Ram and Punjab residents Balwinder Singh and and Harjinder Singh, an official posted at the India-Pakistan Attari-Wagah border said.

While Balwinder Singh hails from Ajnala village in Amritsar district, Harjinder Singh is from village Kalanor village of Gurdaspur district.

On their return to India, Balwinder Singh and Harjinder Singh claimed that they had crossed the India-Pakistan border inadvertently in a drunken state at night in 2020, the official said.

The official said that according to information received from the Pakistan immigration authority, on Friday late night, the Pakistan government would also release around 200 Indian fishermen.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will visit Balasore on Saturday morning to take stock of the ground situation after two passenger trains collided with a goods train leaving several injured.

"There have been casualties but we haven't yet counted. It was a tragic train accident involving three trains -- two passenger trains and one goods train," Odisha chief secretary Pradeep Jena said.

Speaking to media persons, Patnaik said, "Our first priority is to take injured persons to hospitals and save their lives. I have just reviewed the situation about this truly tragic railway accident. I will be visiting the spot tomorrow morning".

Since other trains will be stopped in districts falling on affected routes, Collectors have been asked to ensure that all the passengers stay safe.

"They have been told to provide them whatever facilities are required including water, sanitation, security, food etc at places where such trains may have stopped. Funds to be met from CMRF," said development commissioner, Odisha.

The CM also said that saving lives of injured passengers is now top priority of the government. -- ANI

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00:17 Manipur: Terrorists exchange fire with security forces

Incidents of insurgents fighting gun-battles with security forces were on Friday reported from various parts of Manipur a day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah left the ethnic strife-torn northeastern state following his visit, during which he appealed for peace and return of normalcy.

Insurgents exchanged fire with security forces in Chandolpokpi, Tangjeng, Pombikhok and Kamson villages in Bishnupur district on Friday morning, a police officer said.

Locals fled Tangjeng village after the terrorists attacked it.

Houses were also burnt in Bethel village in Churachandpur district.

One house was burnt down by insurgents in Kangchup Chingkhong area in Imphal West district and a gunbattle was fought with security forces, he said.

However, no casualty was reported in the incidents.

At least 98 people lost their lives and 310 others were injured in the ethnic violence in the state that broke out a month ago, the government said in a statement on Friday. -- PTI

Odisha train tragedy: Navy deploys medical team

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