8 Dead, many injured after goods train hits Kanchanjunga Express in Bengal

mangaloretoday.com

Kolkata, June 17, 2024: Eight passengers have died and at least 25 others injured after an express train collided with a goods train in Darjeeling district of West Bengal this morning. Kanchanjunga Express was travelling from Silchar in Assam to Sealdah in Kolkata when a goods train hit it from behind near Rangapani station, close to New Jalpaiguri.

Several coaches of Kanchanjunga Express have been derailed in the crash, it is learnt. More details about the accident are awaited. One factor which limited casualties in the accident is the fact that the rear part of Kanchanjunga Express comprised of the cargo van and the guard’s coach and the passenger compartments were further ahead.   

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has said doctors and disaster response teams have been rushed to the spot. "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 posted on X.

The Kanchanjunga Express is a daily train that connects Bengal with the Northeastern cities of Silchar and Agartala. This route is in the Chicken’s Neck corridor, which connects the Northeast with the rest of the country. The accident on this line can potentially impact the movement of several other trains.

The Kanchanjunga Express is frequently used by tourists to travel to Darjeeling. The accident comes at a time when Kolkata and neighbouring south Bengal are reeling under a sultry summer and many are travelling to the hill station for some relief.

According to the information so far, the goods train overshot the signal and crashed into the Kanchanjunga Express. Teams of the National Disaster Response Force and ambulances have been rushed to the spot.

The Railways have released helpline numbers on which people could seek information about the situation. The numbers are 033-23508794 and 033-23833326 (Sealdah) and 03612731621, 03612731622 and 03612731623 at Guwahati.

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has left for the accident spot. He has said in a post on X that rescue operations have started on a war footing. "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," he said.

Sabyasachi De, CPRO of Northeast Frontier Railway, said no notification about diversion or cancellation of other trains on the route has been issued yet. "We will try to complete the rescue operation as soon as possible," he said, adding that an accident relief train is on its way.

President Droupadi Murmu said the news of loss of lives in the train accident is "deeply distressing". My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured and success of relief and rescue operations," she said in a post on X.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences for the families of those killed in the accident. "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.