Monday horror! Goods train crashes into Kanchenjunga Express
In a shocking incident, at least two rear compartments of the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express derailed on Monday after a goods train collided with it near New Jalpaiguri station in West Bengal, a senior railway official said. The initial report said the goods train overshot the signal and collided with the passenger train.
The accident took place around 11 km from New Jalpaiguri station in north Bengal, one of the largest and busiest stations in the Northeast Frontier Railway zone in eastern and northeastern India.
Abhishek Roy, Additional SP of Darjeeling Police told reporters that five passengers have died, and 20-25 were injured in the accident. The situation is serious. The incident occurred when a goods train rammed into Kanchenjunga Express.
#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
A wagon of the express train 13174 was seen suspended in the air after the accident at Ruidhasa near Rangapani station. The two rear compartments were derailed under the impact of the collision, a railway official told PTI.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the rescue work is going on at war footing. “Unfortunate accident in North Frontier Railway 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.”
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
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said district magistrate, police, doctors, and disaster teams have been rushed to the accident site. “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, recovery, and medical assistance. Action on war footing initiated,” Banerjee posted on X.
The Sealdah Eastern Railway has set up a control desk at Rangapani station.
Help Desk number at Sealdah
033-23508794
033-23833326
Helpline No. GHY Station
03612731621
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