Kolkata: At least five passengers have been killed and over 25 others injured in an accident where an express train rammed into a goods train this morning in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal. Kanchanjunga Express was on the route from Silchar in Assam to Sealdah station in Kolkata when a goods train overtook it at Rangapani station, which is near New Jalpaiguri.
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
West Bengal’s Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has stated that doctors and disaster teams have been deployed to the area. ”It is only now that I have come to know about a sad rail accident that occurred at Phansidewa, Darjeeling district: Kanchenjunga Exp seems to have been hit by a goods train: DM, SP, doctors and disaster teams, ambulances rushed for rescue/recovery/medical help.
War footing now.”
The Kanchanjunga Express is a daily service that operates between Bengal and the NU cities of Silchar and Agartala. This route is in the country’s Chicken’s Neck corridor that links the Northeast to other parts of the country. The occurrence of an accident at this particular line can affect the passage of several other trains.
Tourists commonly employ the Kanchanjunga Express train to access Darjeeling. The mishap takes place at a time when Kolkata and the adjoining South Bengal region is hot and many people visit the hill station to escape the heat.
From the details availed to date, the goods train ran over the signal and ended up ramming the Kanchanjunga Express. National Disaster Response Force teams along with ambulances have been rushed to the place. Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw appears to be observing the situation from the Railways control room in Delhi as well.
The fact that the passenger compartments were located farther ahead and the freight van and guard’s coach were located at the back of the Kanchanjunga Express helped to reduce the number of fatalities in the accident.
Helpline lines have been made available by the Railways so that people can call them to get information on the situation. The phone numbers in Sealdah are 033-23508794 and 033-23833326, whereas in Guwahati they are 03612731621, 03612731622, and 03612731623.
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
In a post on X, Mr. Vaishnaw stated that rescue efforts have begun on a war footing. Tragic incident in the NFR area. Rescue efforts are being conducted on a military footing. The NDRF, SDRF, and railways collaborate closely. People who are hurt are being taken to the hospital. Senior officials arrived at the location,” he declared.
Senior police officer Abhishek Roy confirmed that five people had died and 25-30 were injured. He added that they were getting the passengers out and shifting them to safety.
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