Shocking news coming from West Bengal, 8 dead and 25 injured after Goods Trains hits Kanchenjunga Express around morning times nrearly 9am.
Several news agency saying that 8 people including 3 Railway employees have died and about 50 others injured , when Kanchenjunga Express train collided with a goods train in Darjeeling district of West Bengal this morning.
Earlier to this accident Kanchenjunga Express was travelling from Agartala in Tripura to Sealdah in Kolkata when a good train hit it from behind near Rangapani Station, close to New Jalpaiguri.
“That accident took place around 9 am, the rescue work is complete. The injured have been shifted to the North Bengal medical college and they are being provided the best possible treatment” said Jaya Verma, Railway Board chairperson to the media.
Three coaches of this train was affected while rest of portion of Kanchenjunga Express will resume its onwards journey soon so that the passenger can reach their destination, she said to media.
Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee posted on X and said- Doctors and disaster response teams have been rushed to the spot. “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, medical assistance. Action on war-footing.
The Kanchenjunga Express is a basically daily train that connects West Bengal with Northeastern cities of Silcher and Agartala. The accident on this line can potentially impact the movement of several others trains.
The Railways have released helpline numbers on which people could seek information about train accident & its situation. The numbers are 033-23508794 and 033-23833326 (Sealdah) and 03612731621, 03612731622 and 03612731623 at Guwahati.
Raiways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has left for the accidebt spot. He also share a post on X and said that Unfortunate accident in NFR zone rescur operations have started on a war footing, Railways, NDRF and SDRF are working in close cooridation. Injured are being shifted to the hospiotals. Senior officials have reached site.
The Railway Minister also said that the ministry will give compensation of Rs 10 lakh each to the familiesd of thr victims, 2.5 lakh for grievous injuries and Rs 50,00 for minor injuries.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a post on X and expresed his condolences for the families of those killed in the accident. ” The railway accident in West Bengal is saddening. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. Spoke to officials and took stok of the situation. Rescue operations are underways to assist the affected. The Railways Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw Ji on the way to thesite of the mishap as well.
The Prime Minister’s office has announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each for the faMmilies of those killed andv an assistamnce of Rs 50,000 for thgose injured in the accident.