Odisha train accident: Signal junior engineer goes missing with family, CBI seals house

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) sealed his rented house and the official went missing as he tightened the noose around the Soro Signal Junior Engineer section in Odisha's Balasore suspected of sabotage that led to the train tragedy.

This happened after the central probe raided the engineer's house, which was locked. Neither the engineer nor his family members were found in the rented house.

According to reports, the engineer was earlier being questioned by the CBI at an undisclosed location before he and his family went missing. The CBI is investigating a total of six railway employees, including a junior engineer, station master at Bahanaga Bazar and four men in charge of signaling work.

On June 2, Coromandel Express, Bengaluru-Howrah Super Fast Express and a goods train collided near Bahanaga Bazar station.

At least 288 people were killed and over 1,200 others were injured in the tragic accident, which is also described as one of the worst train accidents in the country.

Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw personally supervised the search and rescue operations of the victims. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also visited the accident site and held discussions with ministers and officials involved in the rescue operation.

Compensation for the victims has been announced

Vishnaw announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the family of the deceased. He also announced Rs 2 lakh for the seriously injured and an amount of Rs 50,000 for those with minor injuries.On the other hand, PM Modi also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF for the family of passengers who lost their lives in the deadliest train accident. He also announced Rs 50,000 for the injured victims.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and his Andhra Pradesh counterpart YS Jagan Mohan Reddy announced compensation to the victims.

Gautam Adani-led Adani Group has taken a step forward and announced free education to children who lost their parents in a train accident.