Balasore Train Tragedy Key Developments: Government Orders High-Level Probe, Rescue Operations Continue at Crash Site | News from India

NEW DELHI: At least 230 people have died after three different trains derailed one on top of the other in a horrific sequence in OdysseyBalasore neighborhood late friday.
According to officials, more than 900 people were injured at the crash site accident.
Prime Minister Modi has called a meeting to take stock of the situation in relation to the train tragedy.
How did the triple train crash happen?
The accident occurred when several carriages of 12864 Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, en route to Howrah, derailed and fell onto adjacent tracks.
These derailed buses later collided with Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express 12841 and its buses also capsized.
Another freight train was also involved in the accident as some of the carriages of the Coromandel Express, bound for Chennai, hit its carriages after derailing.
According to officials, the railroad tracks were nearly destroyed on the spot as the mangled carriages lay scattered with some being mounted on top of another.
Even some coaches have become turtles due to the impact.
The train crash, the fourth deadliest in India, occurred near Bahanaga Baazar station in Balasore district, about 250km south of Kolkata and 170km north of Bhubaneswar, around 7pm on Friday.
Here’s a look at the main story developments so far:
Minister of Railwaysorder a high level probe
Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw ordered a high-level investigation into the incident. He visited the train accident site and said the main focus now is rescue and rescue operations.
“A detailed high-level investigation will be conducted and the railway safety commissioner will also conduct an independent investigation,” Vaishnaw said.

“Recovery will begin after authorization by the district administration,” he added.
Rescue teams have been mobilized from Bhubaneswar and Kolkata of Odisha in West Bengal, he said in a tweet on Friday.
In addition, three National Disaster Response Force teams are at the crash site and six other teams are being mobilized, the country’s National Disaster Response Force said.
Prime Minister Modi will chair the review meeting
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called a meeting to review the situation in relation to the train crash, government sources informed on Saturday.
CM Patnaik visits the crash site
Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik visited the train crash site on Saturday to take stock of the situation on the ground.

He declared a day of state mourning in the wake of the deadly triple train crash.
IAF deploys Mi-17 helicopters for evacuation
The Indian Air Force (IAF) deployed Mi-17 helicopters on Saturday for the evacuation of those killed and injured in the Odisha triple train crash.
According to Eastern Command, IAF is coordinating relief efforts with the Civil Administration and Indian Railways.
Bengal CM to visit the train crash site
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will visit the site of the train crash at Balasore in neighboring Odisha on Saturday.
“She is quite worried and will fly to Balasore today to take stock of the situation. She also spoke to the chief minister of Odisha ship Patnaik about it. He was in contact with the team he sent to Balasore last night,” the bureaucrat told Pti news agency.
Rescue operations continue
Rescue operations are underway at the scene of the accident at full speed.
Bhubaneswar officials said 200 ambulances, 50 buses and 45 mobile health units were working at the crash site, as well as 1,200 people.
Bodies were brought to hospitals in all types of vehicles, including tractors.
Gas cutters were used to extricate the bodies from under the derailed carriages.
Disaster management personnel and firefighters were busy at work trying to extricate the bodies.
UNGA president apologizes for triple train crash
The President of the United Nations General Assembly, Csaba Korosi, expressed his deepest condolences to the families and the Government of India over the tragic train crash.
“I am deeply saddened to hear the news of the train crash in Odisha, India. My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims, their families and the emergency services. Heartfelt condolences to the people and government of India,” tweeted Korosi, chairman of the 77th session of the General Assembly.
Several trains cancelled, few diverted
Railway authorities canceled 49 trains on Saturday and rerouted 38 trains to a different route.
Although rescue operations are underway at the crash site, 20 trains have also been stopped due to the crash.
The cause of the train crash is yet to be ascertained.
Support numbers
The Government of Odisha has issued the helpline 06782-262286. The railway helplines are 033-26382217 (Howrah), 8972073925 (Kharagpur), 8249591559 (Balasore) and 044-25330952 (Chennai).
(With contributions from agencies)Clock Odisha train crash: Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inspects spot and orders high-level probe

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