On the evening of the accident near Bahanaga Bazar station in Odisha’s Balasore district, three trains were involved: the Coromandel Express, the Howrah Superfast Express, and a stationary goods train. The exact cause of the collision is still under investigation. According to reports, the Coromandel Express derailed first, crashing into the goods train that was parked on a nearby track. This collision caused some of the wreckage to hit the Howrah Superfast Express, leading to its derailment as well. In total, 17 coaches of the two passenger trains were severely damaged.
Eyewitnesses described the chaotic scene, with smoke engulfing the area and coaches piled up. Rescue efforts were challenging due to the force of the collision and the need to cut through the wreckage to reach passengers. The accident resulted in the tragic loss of 288 lives and left hundreds injured, many of them in critical condition.
The railway ministry has formed a high-level committee to investigate the accident, which is being considered India’s worst train accident in this century. The commissioner of railway safety for the south-eastern circle will head the inquiry. India’s rail network, while extensive, requires improvements in infrastructure and safety measures.
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