At least 288 people were killed and several hundreds injured after a three-train collision in Odisha’s Balasore district, officials said Saturday. Horrific scenes at the crash site saw overturned bogies and smashed coaches with bloodstained debris. The incident involving the Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express, Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express and a goods train, is considered as one of the deadliest train tragedies in the country in over two decades.

On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the scene, talked to rescue workers and inspected the wreckage. He also met the survivors at hospitals. Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced has ordered a high-level probe into the derailment.

Railway Minister Ashwani Vaishnav gets emotional while giving byte on restoring both the main rail line , says the responsibility is not over yet.

.No intention to hide deaths’: Odisha government on manipulation of crash toll allegation

Odisha Chief Secretary PK Jena on Sunday said his government has no intention to hide the deaths in the Balasore train crash and the entire rescue operation was being conducted in full public view, PTI reported.

Reacting to allegations that the death toll figure was being manipulated, he said Odisha believes in transparency.

1st train movement on down line after 51 hours

No time for politics: Telangana BJP spox hits back at Oppostion over Odisha train accident

Hitting out at the Opposition for demanding the resignation of Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in wake of the train accident in Odisha, Telangana BJP spokesperson NV Subhash on Saturday asked the Congress to stop politising the matter, ANI reported.

Subhash said that it is not the time to play politics over such a tragic incident. Instead, all political parties should come forwards and extend their support in rescue and relief operations.

Ashwini Vaishnaw prays as train movement at Odisha crash site resumes| 10 points

Railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who has been camping at the accident site, tweeted in the evening to inform that the “Track linking of Up-line has been done at 16:45 hrs. Overhead electrification work started”

UP Congress workers offer condolences to victims of Odisha train accident

Uttar Pradesh Congress office-bearers and workers on Sunday offered their prayers and condolences to the victims of the horrific train accident in Odisha, reports PTI.

At least 275 people were killed and over 1,100 others were injured in the Friday accident involving two passenger trains and a stationary goods train

Restoration of tracks expected in next few hours: Railways official

“The downline track is ready, major damages were in the upline track. In next few hours, we are expecting to restore. All investigations will be done parallelly. The railway team is working continuously,” said Aditya Kumar Chaudhary, chief public relations officer of Southeastern Railway.

Politicians must understand their responsibility: Union min Dharmendra Pradhan

Railways minister has recommended a CBI probe into Balasore train accident. Politics shouldn’t be done at the moment, politicians must understand their responsibility: Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan. 

Driver error ruled out, possible sabotage being probed; railways minister says people behind ‘criminal’ act identified

The railways on Sunday virtually ruled out driver error and system malfunction, indicating a possible “signalling interference” and hinting at “sabotage” and tampering of the electronic interlocking system behind the triple train accident that claimed 275 lives in Odisha, reported PTI. 

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has sought a CBI enquiry into the accident. However, officials said the inquiry by the commissioner of railway safety (CRS) would continue.

None of Tamil Nadu passengers lost their lives’: TN min Udhayanidhi Stalin

We inspected the hospital where people are getting treatment after train accident. We got to know that no Tamilians were admitted at the hospital. None of the Tamil Nadu passengers lost their lives there as of now, all are safe: Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi Stalin was quoted as saying by ANI. 

Govt should find out what caused the accident and take appropriate action: Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi Stalin

“28 out of 127 people who had booked to travel by train were Tamils. Out of which 21 were found to be fine. Rest are also fine confirmed by people who are with them. This accident should not have happened, the Union Government should find out what caused this damage and take appropriate action,” said Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin

Even ticketless travellers to receive compensation, says railways

The railways on Sunday said that even ticketless travellers on board the passenger trains involved in the Odisha accident will receive compensation. This is in line with a Supreme Court order, officials said. Read full story here