The preliminary report filed during the initial inspection of the triple train collision in Odisha’s Balasore district stated that a signal was “given and taken off” for Coromandel Express but the train had already entered the loop line by then. The three trains involved – Coromandel Express, Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express and a stationary goods train – crashed into each other on a grim Friday evening earlier this month, resulting in one of the deadliest accidents India has seen in recent history.
Fragments of three trains and railway tracks were strewn all over along with the mangled remains of the rail coaches. Locals jumped in to save as many people as they could and relief forces were called in on war footing. However, as many as 288 people lost their lives and more than 1,000 people were injured in the collision, according to the government’s official data. Schools and colleges were turned into makeshift spaces to keep the bodies of victims as hospitals and morgues ran out of space.
While the detailed report on the inquiry is yet to be submitted, a preliminary report by the Indian Railways suggests that the Coromandel Express, a long-distance train connecting West Bengal with Tamil Nadu, had entered the loop line and crashed into a goods train parked there, instead of going ahead on the main line.
Outlook has accessed the preliminary joint inspection report that was filed on the ground by the police team that arrived first at the accident site.
Here’s the full text of the police report of Odisha train accident:
"Joint inspection report by Sr. Subordinates in connection with derailment of 12841 and 12864 at BNBR Stations Yard on dt 02.6.2023.
Brief History:-
12864 passed BNBR stations at 18:55.
12841 passed KHF AT 18:52 and accident took place at about 18:55
Observation:-
1. 21 coaches of 12841 were found derailed and some coaches found capsized.
2. Guard brake van and H-1 coaches are on up main line.
3. Loco-37334/SRC of 12841 is on up loop line symmetrically and same alignment.
4. Point no. 17A was found set for up loop line (in reverse condition) of BNBR station at KM No. 255/11-15
5. 2 rearmost coach from rear of 12864 were found derailed and capsized and toppled beside DN main line BNBR station.
6. 3rd coach from rear of 12864 was found south side panel dashed and damaged.
7. Up loop line right hand side rail seems to be partially corroded and partially fresh.
8. No sleeper near ATS was found damaged.
9. Up loop line right hand side rail was found in tilted condition.
10. No sleeper before and ahead of ATS was found damaged on up line.
11. On up loop line side rail, there are wheel marks. There is no wheel marks found on up line side stock rail.
12. In panel route is sharing up main line and points are in normal conditions.
13. Through signal was given on both up and down line as per panel indication.
14. Driving rod was found to be in good condition in between two rails.
15. The stretcher bar was found in such condition which shows, point was set for up loop line.
16. Significant gap was observed between curve stock and straight tongue rail.
17. On Dn main line, some number of sleepers and rail was found damaged.
18. OHE wires of up and down lines are damaged condition.
19. Point 16 B with all rods and Point 17 A with all rods, points 17 B with all rods and accessories, location box-3, point- Track JB-25, Signal Post- are carefully damaged.
Officers at site:-
AGM, PCME, CRSE (coaching), CWM, PCSO, PCE, ADRM/KGP, Sr.DSO, PCSTE
Restroration and Rescue:-
Restoration and rescue operation are in process.
Lost of damage:-
After assessment.
Conclusion:-
We the undersigned after careful observation came to conclusion that, signal was given and taken off for up main line for 12841 but this train entered into up loop line and dashed with goods train MDDIp which was an up loop line and dashed in the mean time 12864 passed through on DN Main line and two coaches of it were derailed and captured."
