Fifteen people were killed and at least 60 others injured when a goods train rammed the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjungha Express on Monday morning near New Jalpaiguri railway station in West Bengal. The collision led to the derailment of two coaches of the express train, with officials warning that the death toll may rise.
Rescue operations are underway at the spot, about 30 km from North Bengal's New Jalpaiguri station, and the injured persons were being shifted to nearby hospitals.
Abhishek Roy, Additional SP Kurseong, confirmed the fatalities. He added that rescue operations were in progress to free those trapped in the wreckage.
"Several people were feared dead and several others injured after a goods train rammed into the Kanchenjungha Express train in Darjeeling district in West Bengal on Monday. Kanchanjungha Express which runs between Silchar in Assam to Sealdah in Kolkata was Sealdah bound when a goods train hit it from behind near Rangapani station, located close to New Jalpaiguri in North Bengal," Chief Public Relations Officer - Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), Sabyasachi De said.
The service, which operates between Sealdah in West Bengal and Tripura's Agartala, was particularly crowded due to the peak tourist season. North Bengal and neighbouring Sikkim see a significant influx of tourists during this time.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared on social media that rescue operations were being conducted on a 'war footing.'
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her shock over the incident on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Shocked to learn about the tragic train accident in the Phansidewa area of Darjeeling district. While details are awaited, the Kanchanjungha Express has reportedly been hit by a goods train. District Magistrate, Superintendent of Police, doctors, ambulances, and disaster teams have been dispatched to the site for rescue, recovery, and medical assistance. Action on war-footing initiated,” Banerjee posted.
“Unfortunate accident in NFR zone. Rescue operations going on at war footing. Railways, NDRF, and SDRF are working in close coordination. The injured are being shifted to the hospital. Senior officials have reached the site,” Vaishnaw wrote on X.
The 13174 Kanchanjungha Express, en route to Sealdah from Agartala, met with the accident around 9 am, according to a railway official.
Heavy rains since morning in Siliguri have hampered rescue efforts.
The accident occurred on the main rail link between Kolkata and Siliguri, resulting in the temporary suspension of long-distance train services on this route.
Kanchanjunga Express accident: Helpline numbers
Injured passengers and their family members can seek assistance by calling the following numbers. Help Desk numbers at Sealdah in connection with the Kanchanjunga train collision:
033-23508794
033-23833326
Helpline number for GHY Station:
03612731621
Helpline Numbers Guwahati Station:
0361-2731621
0361-2731622
0361-2731623
Helpline Numbers at Katihar :
9002041952
9771441956
Lumding helpline numbers:
03674263958
03674263831
03674263120
03674263126
03674263858
This is a developing story....
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