Cuttack (Odisha): The death toll in the Odisha train accident has risen to 292 after a youth from Kolkata became the latest victim of the June 2 train wreck.
Paltu Naskar (26), undergoing treatment at the Cuttack SCB Medical College & Hospital's Central ICU, succumbed to his injuries on Sunday. Alone in Cuttack hospital, four people wounded in the train crash have succumbed in the last few weeks adding to the official death toll of 288 persons at the time of the incident that took place at Bahanaga Bazar station in Balasore district on June 2.
The incident involved the Chennai-bound Coromandel Express, the Howrah-bound Shalimar Express and a goods train. Majority of those dead where travelling in the unreserved cabin of the Coromandel Express. Two days after the incident, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw who was camping in the state heading the relief and rescue work said a change in electronic interlocking may have caused the horrific train accident.
However, the investigation was soon handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The CBI sleuths examined the accident site, tracks, signaling room, control room, and also picked up Bahanaga Bazar Station Master and signalling officer and interrogated them in an undisclosed location in Balasore. It also sealed the equipment and records of Bahanaga Bazar railway station for investigation. No further updates in the investigation have been given by the agency so far.
Vaishnaw, meanwhile, is scheduled to visit Balasore on June 21. His visit coincides with International Yoga Day, during which BJP leaders will participate in yoga activities throughout the country. The Union Minister will also meet and thank doctors, nurses, and medical staff who had come to the rescue of the people during the tough times of the rail accident.
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