As many as 15 people have died and about 60 others were injured after a goods train rammed into the Kanchanjungha Express in West Bengal’s Darjeeling district on Monday morning.
The accident took place at around 9 am near Rangapani, close to New Jalpaiguri station, according to a senior official of the North Frontier Railway, PTI reported.
The Sealdah-bound Kanchanjungha Express, which runs from Silchar in Assam to Sealdah in Kolkata, was hit from behind by a goods train near Rangapani station in North Bengal, said Sabyasachi De, Chief Public Relations Officer of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR).
Initial reports suggest that two coaches of the express train derailed after the collision with the goods train from behind.Details about the exact number of injuries were not immediately confirmed, but the divisional railway manager of NFR’s Katihar Division noted reports of multiple casualties.
Emergency response teams, including DM, SP, medical personnel, ambulances, and disaster response units, were swiftly dispatched to the scene for rescue and medical aid, the official said.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed shock over the incident and tweeted that authorities had initiated urgent measures for rescue and recovery efforts.
“Shocked to learn, just now, about a tragic train accident, in Phansidewa area of Darjeeling district. While details are awaited, Kanchanjunga 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.