A tragic train accident occurred on Monday morning in West Bengal's Darjeeling district when a goods train collided with the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express (13174) near New Jalpaiguri. The accident happened around 9 a.m., unfortunately leading to several injuries and some tragic losses.
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| (Photo credit: PTI) Train Collision in West Bengal: 15 Dead, 60 Injured as Goods Train Rams into Kanchanjunga Express |
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How Many People were Injured in the Accident
The Kanchanjunga Express, which departed from Agartala, collided with the goods train near Rangapani, close to New Jalpaiguri station. The exact number of injured and dead is still being reported, but multiple sources confirm that least 15 passengers were killed and 60 passengers were injured in the accident.
#WATCH | Goods train rams into Kanchenjunga Express train in Darjeeling district in West Bengal, several feared injured
— ANI (@ANI) June 17, 2024
Details awaited. pic.twitter.com/8rPyHxccN0
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has kindly announced that the families of those who have sadly passed away will receive ₹2 lakh from the PMNRF, while those injured will be provided with ₹50,000 in support.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed shock over the incident and immediately ordered top officials, including the district magistrate, police superintendent, doctors, ambulances, and disaster teams, to rush to the scene for rescue, recovery, and medical assistance. The Chief Minister reassured everyone that swift action is being taken to tackle the situation effectively.
“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 wrote on her X handle.
Union rail minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also reacted on the incident, saying, "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 the site."
The Sealdah divisional railway manager confirmed that there was an accident and shared helpline numbers for anyone needing information about what happened.
Rescue efforts have been launched while police are currently at the scene to support attempts to recover. This incident has caused much fear in many people about their security, leading to disquiet in the whole state.
What Caused the Goods Train to Collide with the Kanchanjunga Express
According to the search results, the initial investigation suggests that the goods train overshot the signal, leading to the collision with the Kanchanjunga Express.
Specifically:
- The collision occurred near Rangapani station, close to New Jalpaiguri, as the Kanchanjunga Express was traveling from Silchar to Sealdah.
- Two coaches of the Kanchanjunga Express were derailed in the crash, leading to injuries and loss of life.
- The route is an automatic signal section and remains extremely busy with parallel lines, which means there are higher chances of other trains being around.
- Initial reports indicate that the goods train overshot the signal, causing it to collide with the Kanchanjunga Express.
- The collision resulted in the derailment of at least two rear compartments of the Kanchanjunga Express as the locomotive section of the goods train struck the express train from behind.
So, it looks like the main reason for the accident was the goods train going past the signal and crashing into the Kanchanjunga Express.
Key Points:
- **Location:** The accident occurred near New Jalpaiguri, West Bengal.
- **Trains Involved:** Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express (13174) and a goods train.
- **Time:** The accident happened around 9 am on Monday.
- **Casualties:** At least 15 people have died, and 60 people are injured.
- **Response:** West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has ordered top officials to rush to the scene for rescue and medical assistance.
- **Helpline Numbers:** Sealdah DM has issued multiple helpline numbers for those seeking information about the incident.
Sealdah
033-23508794
033-23833326
GHY Station
03612731621
03612731622
03612731623
KIR STATION
6287801805
Katihar
09002041952
9771441956
LMG
03674263958
03674263831
03674263120
03674263126
03674263858
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