With the CBI beginning its probe into the Odisha triple train crash, officials reportedly said that the most likely cause of the accident was "tampering of the location box" near the railway station.
The trigger was probably a malfunctioning level-crossing gate which prevented a green signal on the main line, an Indian Express report said. As a temporary solution, railway staff made changes to the 'location box' which is placed along the tracks and helps guide trains to their designated tracks.
On June 2, manual alteration of the location box gave a green signal to the oncoming Coromandel Express, but the point remained directed towards the loop line instead of the main line.
On the loop line, a stationary goods train was waiting, and was hit by the Coromandel Express.