15 dead as goods train hits Kanchanjunga Express in Bengal

At least 15 people died died and several others were 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.

The driver of the goods train and his assistant along with the guard of the Kanchanjunga Express are among the victims. At least two compartments of the Kanchanjunga Express derailed as a result of the massive collision, with one coach being flung into the air.

Railway Board chairperson Jaya Verma Sinha told the media that the accident took place around 9 am. "The rescue work is complete. The injured have been shifted to the North Bengal medical college and they are being provided the best possible treatment," she said.

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.

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.

The Prime Minister's Office has announced a compensation of ₹ 2 lakh each for the families of those killed and an assistance of ₹ 50,000 for those injured in the accident.   

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. Railways, NDRF and SDRF are working in close coordination. Injured are being shifted to the hospital. Senior officials have reached site," he said.