In a tragic incident near Bahanaga Station in Balasore, Odisha, two trains derailed, leading to the deaths of at least 275 people and injuries to over 803.
The Coromandel Express train derailed and its coaches infringed the adjacent railway track. A second train running on this track dashed into the Coromandel's coaches and suffered derailment.
The derailed coaches of the Coromandel also collided into a third train, a goods train.
Over the years, a number of rail accidents have struck India. Here we list some of these accidents.
Hampi Express Mishap (2012):
A cargo train and the Hubli-Bangalore Hampi Express collide in Andhra Pradesh, leading to the derailment of four bogies and one catching fire. Approximately 25 fatalities and 43 injuries are reported.
Gorakhdham Express Collision (2014):
The Gorakhdham Express collides with a halted goods train near Khalilabad station in Sant Kabir Nagar, Uttar Pradesh. The collision results in 25 fatalities and over 50 injuries.
Indore-Patna Express Derailment (2016):
The Indore-Patna Express derails close to Pukhrayan in Kanpur, claiming the lives of at least 150 passengers and injuring over 150 others.
Kaifiyat Express Derailment (2017):
Nine coaches of the Delhi-bound Kaifiyat Express derail near Auraiya, Uttar Pradesh, causing at least 70 injuries.
Utkal Express Derailment (2017):
The Puri-Haridwar Utkal Express derails in Muzaffarnagar, resulting in 23 fatalities and nearly 60 injuries.
Bikaner-Guwahati Express Derailment (2022):
At least 12 coaches of the Bikaner-Guwahati Express derail in Alipurduar, West Bengal, leaving 9 people dead and 36 others injured.
These recent train accidents serve as a stark reminder of the tragic incidents that can occur on railway tracks. From collisions to derailments, these accidents have resulted in loss of lives, injuries, and disruptions in train services. It is crucial for authorities to continue prioritizing safety measures and implementing preventive measures to ensure the well-being of passengers and railway staff. Let us hope for improved safety standards and enhanced precautions to avoid such unfortunate incidents in the future.
(With PTI Inputs)
