Around 25 passengers rescued, treated, and rushed to hospitals following the deadly crash
In Short:
- Goods train crashes into Sealdah-bound Kanchanjungha Express(13174).
- Five fatalities and more than two dozen injured.
- Accident near New Jalpaiguri station, north Bengal.
- At least two passenger train bogies derailed.
- Massive rescue operations by NDRF, SDRF, and railway officials.
- Preliminary findings suggest a signal oversight by the goods train.
A tragic accident occurred on Monday morning in Bengal's Siliguri when a goods train collided with the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjungha Express (13174), resulting in five fatalities and injuries to over two dozen passengers.
The collision took place in the Rangapani region of Siliguri shortly after the Kanchanjungha Express, which was en route to Sealdah station in Kolkata, departed from the New Jalpaiguri Station. The goods train rammed into the rear of the passenger train at around 8:30 am, approximately 11 kilometers from New Jalpaiguri station, one of the busiest stations in the Northeast Frontier Railway zone.
Abhishek Roy, additional SP of Darjeeling, confirmed that five bodies had been recovered from the site. Officials said that around 25 injured passengers were rescued, provided first aid, and subsequently rushed to hospitals for further treatment.
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw posted on social media platform X, stating, "Unfortunate accident in NFR zone. Rescue operations are ongoing at a war footing. Railways, NDRF, and SDRF are working in close coordination. Injured are being shifted to the hospital. Senior officials have reached the site."
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also expressed her shock and grief over the incident on X, writing, "Shocked to learn just now about a tragic train accident in Phansidewa area of Darjeeling district. While details are awaited, Kanchanjungha Express has reportedly been hit by a goods train. The DM, SP, doctors, ambulances, and disaster teams have been rushed to the site for rescue, recovery, and medical assistance. Action on war-footing initiated."
Initial reports suggest that the goods train overshot the signal, leading to the collision with the rear portion of the Kanchanjungha Express. Two bogies of the passenger train were derailed due to the impact.
Rescue operations are being carried out by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), divisional team, and 15 ambulances that have arrived at the site. The Railway Board is closely monitoring the situation, ensuring that immediate relief and medical assistance are provided to the affected passengers.