Notably, 288 people were killed in the triple train accident involving Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express and Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, which were carrying over 2,500 passengers, and a goods train laden with iron on Friday evening at Bahanaga Bazar station in Balasore.
The minor boy, identified as Ramananda Paswani, along with three others from Nepal was travelling on Coromandel Express when the tragic mishap took place claiming 288 lives. While the three companions of Ramananda died in the mishap, he miraculously escaped with injuries.
Reports suggest several people have made futile and fraudulent attempts to claim the compensation prompting the Odisha government to sound an alarm.
So far the official death toll in the tragic train accident at Bahanaga Bazaar Station in Balasore stands at 288, Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena informed on Tuesday.
Many family members had fought among themselves claiming some bodies of the victims on Monday. Similar incidents were also witnessed today.
The Express was running at a speed of 128 kmph speed on the main line and it was supposed to go straight as a goods train was already on the loop line. So, there was no question of the Coromandel Express taking the loop line.
As per reports, a 10-member CBI team along with some Central Forensic members reached the spot at Bahanaga station and visited the main line and loop line to carry out the investigation.
Under fire from the Opposition, for recommending a CBI probe into the horrifying Balasore train accident in Odisha, the government sources on Monday indicated a case of "deliberate interference" in the system that came to the fore during the preliminary investigation has necessitated an investigation by a professional agency.
A CBI team has reached Bahanaga for the investigation into the horrific accident. It is expected that the team will inspect the accident site and question several individuals including railway officials.
“There was green signal on the main line. The signal is usually green when all the pre-conditions required for the signal to go green are perfect. If any of the pre-conditions does not meet, technically the signal can never turn green," said Khordha DRM.
Addressing a press conference at the Congress Bhawan in Bhubaneswar, Patnaik said, “The UPA government in 2012 had introduced anti-collision device.
Sharing details about the availability of blood for the treatment of injured, Jena said, "There is no dearth of blood for treatment of injured persons. People across the state are voluntarily donating blood. Due to cooperation of all, there is no shortage of blood."
According to sources, one Ezekiel Das of Berhampur along with his wife Sumita Das and son George Jaccob Das had boarded Coromandel Express on the fateful day.
After reaching the accident spot, Railway Safety Commissioner Shailesh Kumar Pathak visited the station signal room, control room and interacted with the officials present there.
Meet Prasant Behera of Nilagiri in Balasore, who has made a bicycle his companion for the last 60 years. It is not that Behera cannot afford a motorbike or car, but he preferred a bicycle to luxury as it contributes to a better climate and keeps him fit.
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