8 Dead, 25 Injured After Goods Train Hits Kanchanjunga Express in Bengal

Many passengers have sustained injuries when an express train collided with a train carrying goods in the Darjeeling district in West Bengal this morning

Kolkata:

Three Railway workers, perished and more than 50 others were injured when an express train struck a goods train in the Darjeeling district in West Bengal this morning. Kanchanjunga Express was travelling from Silchar in Assam to Sealdah in Kolkata when a train carrying goods was struck from behind close to Rangapani station, near New Jalpaiguri.

A number of coaches from Kanchanjunga Express have been derailed during the accident as it was discovered. Further details regarding the accident are expected. One of the factors that reduced victims of the accident is the aspect that the rear section of Kanchanjunga Express comprised of the cargo van as well as the guard’s vehicle and passenger compartments were further forward.

Bengal the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has said doctors and disaster response teams were sent to the site. “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,” she tweeted on X.

The Kanchanjunga Express is a regular train service that links Bengal to Agartala and the Northeastern cities such as Silchar as well as Agartala. This line is located in the Chicken’s Neck corridor, which connects the Northeast with the rest of the nation. An accident along this line could affect the movements of other trains.

It is the Kanchanjunga Express is frequently used by tourists for journey to Darjeeling. The accident occurs in a period when Kolkata and the south of Bengal are stricken by the heat and many travelers are heading to the hill station in search of some relief.

Based on the information available up to now the train carrying goods overshot it’s signal before colliding with Kanchanjunga Express. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force and ambulances have been brought to the scene.

The Railways have issued helpline numbers so that users can seek out information on the current situation. They are 033-23508794 as well as 033-23833326 (Sealdah) and 03612731621. 03612731622 as well as 03612731623 from Guwahati.

Rail Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has left for the spot where the accident occurred. He said in a tweet on X that the rescue operations have begun with a military basis. “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,” the official said.

Sabyasachi De, CPRO of Northeast Frontier Railway has said that no notice regarding cancellation or diversion of any other trains operating on the route has been released as of yet. “We will try to complete the rescue operation as soon as possible,” the CPRO added, noting that a relief train for the accident is headed for the area.

President Droupadi Murmu has said that the deaths in the train crash was “deeply distressing”. My prayers and thoughts are with the families who lost loved ones. I pray for rapid recovery of wounded and the success in rescue and relief efforts,” she said in a blog post on X.

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the families of those who died in the incident. “The railway accident in West Bengal is saddening. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. Spoke to officials and took stock of the situation. Rescue operations are underway to assist the affected. The Railways Minister Shri @AshwiniVaishnaw Ji is on the way to the site of the mishap as well,” the minister posted on the X.

Leave a commentThe Prime Minister’s Office has offered a payout of 2 lakh in the case of families those who died and a financial aid of Rs 50,000 for people injured during the incident.