Kamakhya Express train mishap: Major train derailments Odisha witnessed since Bahanaga tragedy

Around eight derailments have taken place in Odisha since the tragic train mishap that occurred on the evening of June 2, 2023, near Bahanaga Bazaar railway station in Balasore district and claimed the lives of as many as 296 people and injured around 1,175 others.

Also Read: Kamakhya Express mishap: ECoR issues helpline numbers, special train arranged for stranded passengers

Some tragic train derailment incidents in the State include:

June 5, 2023- Five wagons of a goods train loaded with limestone had previously derailed near Mendhapali locality in Bargarh district. However, the wagons were part of a private cement company’s railway tracks and no casualties were reported in the incident.

June 17, 2023- Four wagons of a goods train derailed while en route to a plant in Ambodala yard in Rayagada. The East Coast Railway had not officially confirmed the incident.

November 8, 2023- A passenger train derailed after hitting a buffalo on the track at around 6.25 PM in Sambalpur district. Four wheels of the Jharsuguda-Sambalpur special passenger train went off the railway tracks. However, all passengers were safe, and the track was cleared by 8.35 PM.

May 31, 2024- Four wagons of a goods train derailed at around 10.50 PM near Kantabanji station under Sambalpur division, disrupting train movements on both tracks. No injuries were reported, and services were restored by 7.00 AM the next day.

July 26, 2024- Two wagons of a goods train earlier derailed near Bhubaneswar railway station at around 8.30 AM. The train was moving slowly, and no injuries had occurred. The restoration work was promptly carried out.

February 5, 2025- A goods train derailed in Rourkela, crashing into a residential colony and causing panic among the residents. Witnesses stated that if the train had moved just five more meters, it would have collided with nearby Kutcha houses, potentially causing a major disaster. The incident occurred around 6.00 AM during shunting operations, which involved organizing and sorting bogies for train departures.

February 21, 2025- Three wagons of a goods train traveling from Titilagarh to Raipur had derailed, causing disruptions in railway operations. One wagon partially climbed onto the edge of the rail track, while two others came off the tracks entirely.

Must Read: Kamakhya Express train mishap in Odisha: 1 dead, 7 injured

February 22, 2025- New Jalpaiguri-Chennai Central Express narrowly escaped a mishap after breaking down in Balasore, due to a locomotive issue. Initial reports suggest the train, coming from Kolkata, struck an electric pole near Sabira railway station in the district.