Bhubaneswar: In the wake of one of the most horrific rail accidents India’s has ever witnessed, Chief Minister Naveen Patanik has declared a One-Day State Mourning on June 3 (Saturday).
A note shared by the CMO in this regard read:
“In view of tragic rail accident at Bahanaga, Baleswar on 2nd June, 2023, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Odisha Shri Naveen Patnaik has ordered for State mourning for a day and hence no State celebration to take place on 3rd June through out the State.”
National Flag will remain half-mast throughout the State where it is flown regularly. There will be no official entertainment during the entire period of State mourning.
The tragedy which occured at Bahanaga Bazar railway station in Balasore district led to 233 deaths (toll rising), and at least 900 injured.
As per the Indian Railways: “At around 7pm, 10-12 coaches of Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express derailed near Baleswar.& fell on the opposite track. After some time, another train from Yeswantpur to Howrah dashed into those derailed coaches resulting in the derailment of its 3-4 coaches.”
