The recent train accident involving the Coromandel Express in Balasore district, Odisha, has left the nation devastated. Initial reports from the signalling control room of the railways indicate that human error may have been the cause. Video footage reveals that the train veered off the main track and entered a loop line where a stationary goods train was parked, resulting in the collision.
The Chennai-bound Coromandel Express had just passed Bahanagar Bazar station around 6:55 pm on Friday when the accident occurred. While it is suspected to be a case of human error, a comprehensive investigation is necessary to determine the exact cause.
An unnamed railway official commented, “The detailed inquiry ordered by the railway board will shed light on how and why it happened. However, prima facie, it appears to be a human error.” This is not the first time such a tragedy has struck, as a similar accident occurred in Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh, in 1995, claiming the lives of approximately 350 individuals and necessitating three days of rescue operations.
The collision caused the Coromandel Express to derail on the main line. Shockingly, within minutes of the initial collision, the Howrah-bound Yashwantnagar Express approaching from the opposite direction also collided with the Coromandel Express. The incident unfolded around 7:30 pm on that fateful Friday.
The toll from this disastrous accident has now reached 261, with rescue operations successfully concluded. Aditya Chowdhury, spokesperson for South Eastern Railway, revealed that another 650 injured passengers are currently receiving treatment at various hospitals in Odisha.
To thoroughly investigate the incident, the commissioner of railway safety (CRS) for the South Eastern circle will conduct an enquiry. The nation mourns the lives lost and hopes for answers to prevent such tragedies from recurring in the future.