70 killed in Coromandel Express train accident in Odisha, 120 AP passengers on board

BALASORE, Odisha: At least 70 persons were killed and more than 350 others were injured after a passenger train rammed into the derailed coaches of the Coromandel Express in Balasore district of Odisha late Friday evening. More than 120 passengers in the ill-fated Coromandel Express reportedly belong to Vijayawada and it was not immediately known if they were all safe or there were any casualties among them. The accident happened at the Bahanaga railway station.

The Coromandel Express was travelling from Shalimar in West Bengal to Chennai when it met with the accident.

It was a twin tragedy on rails that occurred in a double whammy of sorts, in Balasore. According to reports, the superfast express train rammed into a freight (goods) train at a high speed. Under the impact of the collision, at least five coaches of the train tumbled several times in the air before falling on the opposite rail track.

Even as there was chaos amid cries for help in pitch darkness, an oncoming Yashwantpur passenger train on the other track hit the derailed coaches, turning it into a tragedy of unimaginable magnitude.

The Coromandel Express was scheduled to arrive in Vijayawada at 10 am on Saturday.

Unconfirmed reports also claimed initially that the Balasore MLA was also travelling in the ill-fated Coromandel Express. The death toll is expected to up further given the enormity of the mishap involving two trains and a freight train.

President, Prime Minister express shock, anguish

President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and many other leaders expressed their shock and anguish at the twin train tragedy.

The Indian Railways has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakhs for the families of those killed in the accident. Those grievously injured will be paid Rs 2 lakh while those with minor injuries will receive Rs 50,000.