Odisha train crash: 'Those responsible will be severely punished,' says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday visited the triple train accident site in Odisha's Balasore and took stock of the situation. He was accompanied by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The accident, involving three trains—Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express and a goods train—is one of the worst in the country and took place on Friday night near the Bahanaga Bazar station, about 250 km south of Kolkata and 170 km north of Bhubaneswar.

The prime minister was briefed on the situation by both Vaishnaw and officers of the disaster management team. He also interacted with local authorities and inquired about the progress of restoration work launched at the mishap site. 

Modi later spoke to the Cabinet secretary and the Health Minister and directed them to ensure all help needed is provided to the injured and their families.

The prime minister also visited a nearby hospital and met the those injured in the accident.

Though the immediate cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained, Railway Spokesperson Amitabh Sharma said that the Coromandel Express derailed first, and its 10-12 coaches fell on the line on which the Bengaluru-Howrah Express was travelling, forcing it to jump off the tracks. Some coaches of the Coromandel Express fell on top of a stationary goods train in an adjacent railway track.