Odisha train derailment one of deadliest in Indian Railways' history

India has witnessed many train disasters in the past, but the Balasore accident is perhaps the first mishap that involves three trains- two passenger and one freight. Here is a list of the deadliest train accidents in India in the last four decades.

Baghmati Train Disaster (1981): India’s deadliest train accident, which claimed over 800 lives. The tragedy struck when a passenger train derailed at Balaghat in Bihar, and overcrowded bogies fell into the Baghmati River which was in spate.

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Firozabad Train Collision (1995): On August 20, 1995, a collision occurred between the Purushottam Express and the Kalindi Express near Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh. The accident claimed the lives of around 358 people.

Gaisal Train Disaster (1999): On August 2, 1999, the Brahmaputra Mail collided with the Awadh-Assam Express near Gaisal, West Bengal. The accident resulted in the deaths of approximately 290 people.

Khanna Rail Crash (1998): On November 26, 1998, the Jammu Tawi-Sealdah Express collided with the Kalindi Express near Khanna, Punjab. The accident led to the loss of around 212 lives.

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Peruman Train Collision (1981): On July 8, 1988, 10 coaches of the Island Express derailed near the Peruman Bridge over Ashtamudi Lake in Kerala. The accident caused the deaths of approximately 105 people and several hundred were injured. Among the casualties was Ranjit Dhairyatheel Khanwilkar, a promising Karnataka cricketer.

Velugonda Train Disaster (2005): Delta Fast Express derailed at Velugonda, a town south of Hyderabad when a rail bridge was swept away in flash floods. 114 passengers died and over 200 sustained injuries.

Pukhrayan Train Derailment (2016): On November 20, 2016, the Indore-Patna Express derailed near Pukhrayan, Uttar Pradesh. The accident resulted in the loss of around 150 lives.