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West Bengal: Goods Train Collides With Kanchanjungha Express, At Least 15 Dead, 60 Injured

Travelling from Silchar in Assam to Sealdah in Kolkata, the Kanchanjungha train was hit from behind by a goods train at Rangapani, near Jalapiguri.

train accident Edited by Updated: Jun 17, 2024, 2:20 pm
West Bengal: Goods Train Collides With Kanchanjungha Express, At Least 15 Dead, 60 Injured

West Bengal: Goods Train Collides With Kanchenjungha Express, At Least 15 Dead, 60 Injured (image-X/RoForLife264)

At least 15 people have died and 60 injured after the Kanchanjungha express train in West Bengal’s Darjeeling collided with a goods train on Monday morning. Travelling from Silchar in Assam to Sealdah in Kolkata, the Kanchanjungha train was hit from behind by a goods train at Rangapani, near Jalapiguri.

The rescued passengers are being sent to a nearby medical camp for immediate aid, stated Abhishek Roy, Additional SP of Darjeeling Police.

The number of fatalities are limited as the passenger compartments were further ahead and the collision spot, the rear part of the express train, comprised of cargo and the guard’s coach. While earlier media reports suggested five people to have died, the death toll has increased to 15.

An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF has been announced to be given to the next of kin of each deceased while a sum of Rs. 50,000 will be to the injured, announced PM Modi.

According to reports, the goods train overshot the signal and crashed into the express train from behind. Ambulances and teams of the National Disaster Response Force have been sent to the spot. At least two bogies of the express train have been derailed. The Kanchenjunga express train is known for being used by tourists travelling to Darjeeling with peak tourist season underway.

(image-X/kapsology)

Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw took to X (formerly known as Twitter) and informed, “Unfortunate accident in NFR zone. Rescue operations going on at war footing. Railways, NDRF and SDRF are working in close coordination. Injured are being shifted to the hospital. Senior officials have reached site.”

Reacting to the tragic accident, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said, “Shocked to learn, just now, about a tragic train accident, in Phansidewa area of Darjeeling district. While details are awaited, Kanchenjunga Express has reportedly been hit by a goods train. DM, SP, doctors, ambulances and disaster teams have been rushed to the site for rescue, recovery, medical assistance. Action on war-footing initiated.”

Helpline numbers for family members and injured passengers to seek information and assistance has been released by the railways. The numbers are 033-23508794 and 033-23833326 (Sealdah) and 03612731621, 03612731622 and 03612731623 at Guwahati.

Topics
darjeeling Featured Kanchanjungha Express train accident west bengal

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