A collision between the Kanchanjungha Express and a goods train around 9 am today, near West Bengal’s New Jalpaiguri, has reportedly left five people dead and several severely injured, as per government officials.
Two bogies of the Kolkata-bound passenger train reportedly derailed following the collision. “Five people, including the driver of Kanchanjunga Express, died on the spot while 25 were injured,” Abhishek Roy, additional SP Kurseong, told ANI.
#WATCH | "Five passengers have died, 20-25 injured in the accident. The situation is serious. The incident occurred when a goods train rammed into Kanchenjunga Express," says Abhishek Roy, Additional SP of Darjeeling Police. pic.twitter.com/5YQM8LdzLo
— ANI (@ANI) June 17, 2024
The Sealdah Eastern Railway has set up a control desk at Rangapani station in Siliguri of Darjeeling district to assist the families of those who lost their lives and the injured passengers. Their helpline numbers are 03323508794 and 03323833326.
The ministry of railway also released a host of helpline numbers.
Reports said that the line on which the accident took place is the main rail link from Kolkata to Siliguri, and long-distance train services have been temporarily halted. The region has also been witnessing heavy rainfall since morning.
Helpline numbers for assistance and information regarding the derailment of Kanchenjunga Express in West Bengal. pic.twitter.com/ctwkZQc5m7
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) June 17, 2024
West Bengal | Sealdah Eastern Railway sets up a control desk at Rangapani station after the Kanchenjunga Express train rammed by a goods train at Ruidhasa in Darjeeling district pic.twitter.com/KLOY7Jn8rB
— ANI (@ANI) June 17, 2024
The accident between 13174 Kanchanjunga Express from Agartala and a goods train reportedly took place at 9 am near Rangapani close to New Jalpaiguri station, as per the PTI.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took to X to express shock and said that rescue action has been initiated on “war-footing”.
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,…
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) June 17, 2024
Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnav iterated on X that rescue operations are going on at war footing, and the railways, NDRF and SDRF are working in close coordination.
In a later tweet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the accident is “saddening” and he took stock of the situation, while Vaishnav is “on the way to the site of the mishap”.
The PMO also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the PMNRF for the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured.
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.
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) June 17, 2024
PM @narendramodi has announced that an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased in the railway mishap in West Bengal. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000. https://t.co/2zsG6XJsGx
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 17, 2024
This is a developing story, this report will be updated with further details.
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