The tragic triple train accident near Bahanaga railway station in Odisha’s Balasore district has claimed over 280 lives and left over 900 people injured. The unfortunate train accident left several children orphaned and shattered several families.
Meanwhile, people have raised concerns about the safety of the loco pilots and other staff of the three trains involved in the accident.
While no official reports have been availed so far about the two passenger and one goods train, the Loco Pilot and Assistant Pilot of Coromandel Express have sustained grievous injuries, sources said.
As per sources, the duo is currently under intensive care, and they are being taken proper care by the hospital authorities. The Loco Pilo (who has sustained chest injury) and the Assistant Pilot (who has suffered leg injury) of Coromandel Express are currently battling for their lives in ICU, sources said.
However, due to security reasons, they are being treated in isolation and the hospital authorities have refrained from disclosing their whereabouts. The hospitals they are currently undergoing treatment in will not be disclosed for security reasons, sources said.
The source further claimed that the drivers of the goods train and the Shalimar Express are safe. Luckily, the goods guard of the goods train had gone for a tea break when the Coromandel Express hit it from the rear.
Meanwhile, the restoration work is going on in full swing. Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed that the target is to finish restoration work by Wednesday morning so that the trains can start running as usual.
The Railways Minister further stated that the root cause of the mishap has been ascertained and attributed it to electronic interlocking. He also added that the people responsible were also identified and necessary action against them would be taken soon.