Odisha Train Accident News HIGHLIGHTS: Train movement resumes in the affected section

After visiting the crash site, PM will visit Cuttack hospital to meet the survivors of the train disaster.

The Prime Minister has reached Odisha's Balasore, the accident site of the triple train disaster. After taking stock of the situation, he will also go to Cuttack.

People have been voluntarily donating blood in hospitals of Cuttack, Balasore and Bhadrak. Latest ground reports say that over 3,000 units of blood have been collected so far.

An Indian Express report says that the prime reason for the triple train disaster could possibly be 'signaling error.' The report says that a joint inspection was carried out at the accident site. The inspection note says that green signal was given to Coromandel Express. But in a second, the signal was taken off. But by that time, the train had already entered the loop line. This resulted in head-on collision was the goods train. In couple of minutes, the superfast express from Yashwantpur came on the down line and it's two coaches were derailed.

‘Kavach’ has been specifically designed to assist locomotive pilots in avoiding Signal Passing At Danger (SPAD) and over-speeding, while also providing support during adverse weather conditions like dense fog. By automatically applying brakes when necessary, ‘Kavach’ ensures better control over train speed and helps prevent potential accidents. (READ MORE)

Amitabh Sharma, Indian Railways spokesperson, has confirmed that the Kavach anti-collision system was not available on this route. At present, Kavach is working on Delhi-Howrah and work is in progress for Delhi-Mumbai route. Kavach is not available for Khadagpur-Bhadrak-Balasore-Cuttack route, Sharma confirmed to news agency ANI.

“Coromandel is one of the best express trains. I was the Railway Minister thrice. From what I saw, this is the biggest railway accident of the 21st century. Such cases are handed over to Railway's safety commission & they investigate and give a report…There was no anti-collision device on the train, as far as I know. Had the device been on the train, this would not have happened…The dead can't be brought back but now our work is rescue operation & restoration of normalcy,” says Mamata Banerjee.

I am deeply saddened by the news of the loss of many precious lives and the injuries in the train accident in the State of Odisha. On behalf of the Government of Japan and people, I would like to express our heartfelt condolences to those who lost their lives and their bereaved families. I also pray for the speedy recovery of those who were injured: Message of condolences from Japanese PM Fumio Kishida to PM Narendra Modi

Doctors from AIIMS-Bhubaneswar have been dispatched to Balasore and Cuttack in Odisha to assist in the relief operations at site of the train accident that killed at least 261 people, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Saturday. “Two teams of doctors from AIIMS-Bhubaneswar have been dispatched for Balasore and Cuttack to assist in relief operations at the rail accident site in Odisha,” Mandaviya said on Twitter.

As feared earlier, the toll in the deadly tripl train disaster has gone up. Latest information from South Eastern circle shows that 261 people have been confirmed dead while over 650 are being treated in nearby hospitals.

A PTI report says that Indian Army columns have rushed to the accident sites. The report also states that Indian Air Force choppers have also been deployed to carry out the mega relief operations.

While PM Modi will reach Odisha later in the day, news agency ANI says that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is reaching Balasore shortly.

South Eastern Railway will ply two special trains that will ferry 1,200 stranded passengers to Howrah today. One train has 1,000 passengers, the second one from Balasore to Howrah is carrying around 200 stranded passengers, the officials told PTI.

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Deepest condolences to the families of the victims of the tragic train derailment in Odisha. Speedy recovery to the injured, says Russian Ambassador

The Ministry of Railways has initiated a high-level probe into the train crash in Odisha. The probe will be conducted by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), South Eastern Circle. (IN PICS)

Indian Railways has diverted several long distance trains in the wake of the accident involving three trains in Odisha – Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, and a goods train. Over 230 people have lost their lives and around 900 have been injured in the horrific train crash. (READ MORE)

The train accident in Odisha is one of the deadliest in recent times. Over 230 people have lost their lives while around 900 injured in the horrific train crash, involving the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express and a goods train. The incident took place near the Bahanaga Bazar station in Balasore district around 19:00 hrs on Friday. A look at a few of the train accidents since independence. (READ MORE)

The high-level meeting has ended and PM Modi has decided to travel to Odisha later today. He will first go to Balasore accident site. Later, he will go to Cuttack, latest reports say.

Indian Railways has cancelled the operation of several trains due to the horrifying triple train accident near Odisha’s Balasore. More than 235 passengers have lost their lives while around 900 people injured in the wake of the tragic incident. The tracks have almost been destroyed at the site as mangled coaches lay strewn all over, with some having mounted on another, while a few coaches turned turtle due to the impact. (READ MORE)

In the wake of the triple train accident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is chairing a high-level meeting in New Delhi.