One more person has tragically lost their life as a result of the train accident that occurred in Odisha’s Balasore district on June 2nd. The death toll has now risen to 293, with a 24-year-old resident of Bihar named Manish Kumar being the latest victim. Manish passed away at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, where he had been receiving treatment for his injuries. This devastating incident involved three trains near Bahanaga Bazar railway station, including the Chennai-bound Coromandel Express, the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, and a stationary goods train.
Manish Kumar was admitted to the hospital on June 3rd with critical injuries and fought bravely for several weeks before succumbing to his wounds at 1:30 pm on Thursday. Hospital sources have confirmed that there are still 22 other injured individuals, five of whom are in the ICU, receiving treatment at SCBMCH. Seventeen more patients are in different wards.
The accident initially claimed the lives of 287 people at the scene, and an additional five victims passed away in Cuttack, with one more in Bhadrak. The authorities are working diligently to identify and release the bodies of the deceased to their families. Currently, 81 bodies are being preserved at AIIMS Bhubaneswar until they can be properly identified. DNA sampling has been conducted on 84 individuals in order to resolve claims over bodies with multiple claimants.
As we continue to mourn the lives lost in this tragic incident, it is crucial to note the importance of safety measures on our country’s railways. The investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing, and it is hoped that measures will be taken to prevent such disasters from occurring in the future.
