In a somber incident that unfolded on June 2, 2023, our hearts sank as tragedy struck the passengers of the 12841 Coromandel Express. The train was en route from Shalimar railway station in West Bengal to Chennai, Tamil Nadu when an unfortunate accident occurred at the Bahanaga Bazar railway station in Odisha. Alongside this heartbreaking incident, the Bengaluru–Howrah SF Express was also caught up in the chaos, as it traveled in the opposite direction from Bangalore, Karnataka to Howrah, West Bengal. We express our deepest condolences and profound sadness for the loss of life and injuries endured by the passengers and their loved ones.
During this ill-fated moment, both trains were operating at their maximum speed of 128 km/h (80 mph) as they traversed the "up main line" and "down main line" tracks respectively. Despite not being scheduled to stop at Bahanaga Bazar, both trains had received the green signal to proceed safely. However, a critical error occurred at approximately 19:00 IST (13:30 GMT) when the Coromandel Express was mistakenly diverted to the parallel up loop line at full speed. Tragically, this led to a devastating collision with a stationary goods train laden with iron ore. The impact was so severe that 21 coaches of the Coromandel Express derailed from the main line. Thankfully, the goods train remained unaffected by the collision.
Meanwhile, the Bengaluru–Howrah Express was fortunate to have nearly cleared the path of the Coromandel Express. However, three derailed coaches from the Coromandel Express veered into the adjacent track, striking the rear of the Bengaluru–Howrah Express, which was passing through the station at the same time. This horrific incident marks India's deadliest railway crash since the Firozabad rail disaster in 1995, and is the most tragic worldwide since the 2004 Sri Lanka tsunami train wreck.
The consequences of the collision were not uniform across the two trains. Two unreserved coaches and the brake van of the Bengaluru–Howrah Express also derailed, but the remaining portions of the train, including reserved compartments, proceeded to Balasore. There, a damaged coach was detached, and the remaining 19 coaches continued their journey towards Howrah. Fortunately, it was reported that there were no passenger fatalities or injuries in the reserved compartments of the Bengaluru–Howrah Express. However, identifying the passengers aboard the unreserved coaches will require time and careful investigation.
Accidents of this nature serve as a stark reminder of the paramount importance of prioritizing safety measures in our railway systems. While it is essential not to place blame on anyone in this unfortunate event, it is crucial that we acknowledge the occurrence of accidents and strive to reach a state where safety is the highest priority. It is imperative that railway authorities, policymakers, and stakeholders work together to implement comprehensive safety protocols, enhance training programs for staff, and continually improve infrastructure to prevent such tragic incidents in the future.
As we mourn the lives lost and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured, we must channel our collective grief and anguish into constructive action. Let us honor the memory of those affected by striving for a future where safety is ingrained in every aspect of our transportation systems. Together, we can create a world where tragic accidents become a thing of the past, and the safety and well-being of passengers remain paramount at all times.
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