splitPDF File 947

2023 Odisha train collision
On 2 June 2023, three trains collided in Balasore district in the east Indian state of Odisha. The
accident occurred around 19:00 IST when Coromandel Express, a passenger train, collided with a
stationary goods train near Bahanaga Bazar railway station on the Howrah–Chennai main line. Due
to the high speed of the passenger train and the heavy tonnage of the goods train, the impact
resulted in 21 coaches of the Coromandel Express derailing and three of those collided with the
oncoming SMVT Bengaluru–Howrah Superfast Express on the adjacent track.
296 people were killed in the crash and more than 1,200 were injured. It was one of the deadliest
railway accidents in India. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Odisha Disaster Rapid
Action Force (ODRAF) were involved in the search and recovery efforts, assisted by other
government agencies and the general public. The injured were treated at local hospitals in the
region. In the aftermath, operations of more than 150 trains were impacted, with the cancellation of
at least 48 trains. The rail services resumed on the line on 5 June after restoration work.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the Coromandel Express entered a passing loop line instead
of the main line at full speed and crashed into the stationary goods train. In the aftermath, Railway
Minister stated that a change in electronic interlocking due to an error in electronic signalling,
caused the crash. He also said that sabotage was suspected and the railway board had
recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)-led probe. On 7 July 2023, the CBI arrested
three railway officials believed to be responsible for the accident.
Despite the statement of the railway authorities that the accident was not a reflection of the safety
issues in the system, various questions were raised by journalists, politicians and retired railway
employees. The railway lines were not equipped with the Kavach train protection system. It was
made aware that a similar signalling error had been reported earlier in February 2023 and a
December 2022 report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India had warned that the safety
department of the railways lacked adequate staffing and funding, suffered from misuse of funds
and that these could impact the quality of maintenance.
Crash
On 2 June 2023, the Coromandel Express (Train no:12841) was travelling from Shalimar in Howrah,
West Bengal, to Chennai Central in Chennai, Tamil Nadu on the up line of the Howrah-Chennai main
line near Bahanaga Bazar railway station. At the same time, the SMVT Bengaluru–Howrah Express
(Train no:12864) was travelling in the opposite direction from Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal in
Bengaluru, Karnataka, to Howrah on the adjacent
Odisha train collision
down line. Both trains were not scheduled to stop
at the Bahanaga Bazar railway station and
received a green signal to proceed along the main
line. The trains were travelling fast, close to the
maximum permitted speed of 128 km/h
(80 mph).[5][6][7]
Wreckage of the Coromandel Express
Simplified diagram of the 2023 Odisha train collision
At about 19:00 IST, the Coromandel Express was

Wikimedia | © OpenStreetMap
intended to pass straight on the up line but was
Location of collision
wrongly switched to the parallel up loop line,
where it collided with a stationary goods train
laden with iron ore.[8] Because of the high speed
of the passenger train and the weight of the
goods train, 21 coaches of the Coromandel
Express derailed.[9][10] The goods train did not
derail.[5] Three of the derailed coaches from the
Coromandel Express careened into the adjacent
track and whip-lashed the tail end of the SMVT
Bengaluru–Howrah Express, which was crossing
on the down line at the same time. Two Crash location on a map of India
unreserved coaches and the brake van of the
Details
SMVT Bengaluru–Howrah Express
derailed.[5][7][11] Date 2 June 2023
around 19:00 IST
(13:30 UTC)[1]
Location Near Bahanaga Bazar

railway station,
Balasore, Odisha
Coordinates 21°20′17″N
86°45′52″E (https://g
eohack.toolforge.org/
Emergency response geohack.php?pagena
me=2023_Odisha_trai
n_collision&params=
21_20_17_N_86_45_5
2_E_type:event_regio
n:IN-OR)
Country India
Line Howrah–Chennai
main line
Members of the National Disaster Operator East Coast Railway

Response Force on the site zone
Indian Railways published the reservation charts Owner Indian Railways
for both the passenger trains on its

Incident type Collision, Derailment
website.[‡ 1][‡ 2] The railways and the governments
of Odisha, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu issued Cause Electronic
interlocking defect
helpline numbers.[12][13] According to the Chief due to signalling
Secretary of Odisha, three National Disaster error[2][3]
Response Force (NDRF) units, four Odisha
Statistics
Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) units, more
than 15 fire rescue teams, 100 doctors, 200 police Trains 3 trains
A goods train
personnel and 200 ambulances were mobilised carrying iron ore
for the rescue operations.[14][15] Locals assisted in 12841 Coromandel
the relief effort, helping the stranded passengers SF Express
between Shalimar
and transporting the injured passengers to the
and Chennai
hospital.[16] Central
12864 SMVT
The Government of West Bengal sent a team Bengaluru–Howrah
consisting of 40 doctors, nurses and 30 SF Express
between SMVT
ambulances to assist in the rescue operations.[17]
Bengaluru and
The Government of Tamil Nadu sent a high level Howrah
delegation comprising two state ministers and
Vehicles Locomotive-WAP-7
three IAS officers to assist the passengers and
arranged a treatment facility with 70 beds at Deaths 296[4]
Chennai's Rajiv Gandhi Government General 1,200+

Injured
[18]
Hospital. Search dogs were used to find
survivors.[19][20] The search and recovery

splitPDF File 947

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

splitPDF File 947

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

splitPDF File 947

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

2023 Odisha train collision

Wreckage of the Coromandel Express

Simplified diagram of the 2023 Odisha train collision

At about 19:00 IST, the Coromandel Express was

Location Near Bahanaga Bazar

Members of the National Disaster Operator East Coast Railway

Indian Railways published the reservation charts Owner Indian Railways

for both the passenger trains on its

Chennai's Rajiv Gandhi Government General 1,200+

You might also like

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.