The Odisha state government has revised the Coromandel Express-Howrah train collision death toll from 288 to 275. As of June 5, 1,175 people have been injured. Three trains were involved in the accident leading to one of the worst train accidents in India. A few passengers are reportedly missing
To understand the line of events during the crash, India Today has produced a simulation video to recreate the accident involving three trains - Yesvantpur-Howrah or Howrah–SMVT Bengaluru Superfast Express (12862), Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express (12841), and a goods train, which crashed into each other at Odisha’s Balasore
The main lines were clear for the passage of these superfast trains and the loop lines were occupied by two goods trains. At 6:40 pm, Coromandel Express left Balasore for Bhadrakh in Odisha. At 6:52 pm, Coromandel Express approached Bahanaga station after the green signal. At 6:55 pm, Yesvantpur-Howrah Express, which was coming from the other direction on the second line, approached the Bahanaga station
However, Coromandel Express, which was supposed to continue on the main line, accidentally changed its course and entered the loop line and hit the goods train laden with iron ore. At this time, the train was running at 128 kmph. Due to its full speed, around 21 coaches derailed and three of the coaches entered the down line. It has been reported that this was due to some signalling error
At the same time, Yesvantpur-Howrah Express was passing on the loop line or the down line from the opposite direction and was hit by the last three derailed coaches of Coromandel Express at around Bahanaga Bazar railway station
Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the train accident in Balasore, Odisha, was caused by a "change in electronic interlocking”. “The root cause (of the accident) has been identified. And the people who have done it have also been identified,” added Vaishnaw
The electronic interlocking named Kavach Safety System is a safety system that prevents conflicting movements between trains by controlling signals and tracks. The system alerts when a loco pilot jumps a signal (Signal Passed at Danger - SPAD). The system can alert the loco pilot, take control of the brakes and bring the train to a halt automatically, when it notices another train on the same line within a prescribed distance
Kavach Safety System introduced in 2022 has not been applied to the Coromandel Express route yet. West Bengal CM and former Railways Minister, Mamata Banerjee said that this interlocking system could have averted the accident but some experts have reported that as the train was moving at a speed of 120 kmph and suddenly entered the loop line, there was not enough time for automatic brakes
The Railway board has decided to hand over the investigation of the Odisha Balasore train accident to the CBI. “The Railway Board is recommending that further inquiry and investigation into the case be undertaken by the CBI,” said Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in a press conference
As per an Aaj Tak report, the train driver of Coromandel Express changed the course of the train after receiving a green signal. On the other hand, the driver of the Yesvantpur-Howrah Superfast Express claimed to have heard some weird noise
Three days after the deadly train crash, several wagons of another goods train carrying limestone derailed near Bargarh district in Odisha. Though, no lives were lost