The death toll in the Balasore train accident has risen to 261, said South East Railway on Saturday.

The 12841 Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express derailed at Bahanaga Bazar and its 10-12 coaches fell on the line on which the 12864 Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express was travelling, forcing it to jump off the tracks.

Some coaches of the Shalimar-Chennai Express fell on top of a stationary goods train on an adjacent track.

The accident happened near the Bahanaga Bazar station in Balasore around 7 pm on Friday.

Some 200 ambulances, 50 buses and 45 mobile health units were working at the accident site, besides 1,200 personnel.

Air force has sent two rescue helicopters with medical teams.

The train crash is the fourth deadliest in India according to available records.

It is not clear what caused the crash, sources indicate a possible signalling failure.