Signal failure blamed for horrific India rail crash

Almost 300 dead and dozens injured after trains collide

- RITUPARNA CHATTERJEE

A signal error is thought to be the cause of a train crash that killed at least 288 people in India on Friday. The Coromandel Express rammed into a goods train in Balasore city in Odish state on Friday causing between 10 and 12 carriages to derail. A third train, a freightliner, was also thought to be involved.

An early investigation by senior railway officials has said a mistaken signal was the likely cause, local media reports said on Saturday. The Hindu Times also reported that the line was "partially corroded" where the impact happened.

KS Anand, chief public relations officer of the South Eastern Railway, said: "The Coromandel Express was supposed to travel on the main line, but a signal was given for the loop line instead, and the train rammed into a goods train already parked over there. Its coaches then fell onto the tracks on either side, also derailing the Howrah Superfast Express? Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the scene yesterday and talked to rescue workers and inspected the wreckage. He also met the survivors at hospitals. "(I) took stock of the situation at the site of the tragedy in Odisha. Words can't capture my deep sorrow. We stand committed to providing all possible assistance to those affected," Mr Modi said.

Families of the dead will receive 1 million rupees (£9,600), while the seriously injured will get 200,000 rupees, with 50,000 rupees for minor injuries, railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said. Some state governments have also announced compensation.