Odisha Train Accident: Rescue Operation Complete, Restoration Work Underway, Says Railway Ministry

The death toll in the tragic triple-train accident in Odisha has risen to 261, according to a railway official.

Meanwhile, the rescue operations at the accident site have been completed and the railways has begun the restoration work.

"Rescue operation completed at derailment site and restoration work has commenced," the Ministry of Railways said in a tweet 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," South Eastern Railway spokesperson Aditya Chowdhury was quoted by news agency PTI as saying.

The tragic collision involving two passenger trains (Chennai-bound Coromandel Express and Yashwantpur-Howrah Express), and a goods train occurred near Bahanaga Bazar Station in Odisha’s Balasore around 7 pm on Friday.

Railway spokesperson Amitabh Sharma said that these coaches fell on the opposite track and because of that, 3-4 coaches of a train from Yeshwanthpur to Howrah also got derailed.

Condoling the loss of lives, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh in case of death, Rs 2 lakh in case of grievous injuries and Rs 50000 for those who sustained minor injuries.