বাংলায় পড়ুন
Kanchanjungha express train and a goods train collided this morning in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, causing eight deaths and about fifty injuries. When a goods train hit the Kanchanjunga Express from behind near Rangapani station, close to New Jalpaiguri, it was travelling from Agartala in Tripura to Sealdah in Kolkata.
The massive collision of the Kanchanjunga Express caused two compartments to derail, with one coach being flung into the air. The derailment took place on the main line connecting Kolkata with Siliguri, close to the Phansidewa area and Rangapani station. As a result, this accident on this line can impact the movement of several other trains.
The accident took place around 8:45 a.m. The exact cause of the collision is under investigation, but preliminary reports suggest that signal failure or bad weather could be the cause.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee posted on X that she was shocked to know about a tragic train accident in the Phansidewa area of Darjeeling district. While details are awaited, the 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 was initiated.
President Droupadi Murmu announced the news of the loss of lives in the train accident. She said in a post on X that the news was deeply distressing. Her thoughts and prayers are with all those families. She prays for the speedy recovery of the injured and the success of relief and rescue operations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the families of those killed in the accident. He said that the railway accident in West Bengal is saddening. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. He pray that the injured recover as the earliest. Also, he spoke to officials and took stock of the situation. Rescue operations are underway to assist the affected.
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw went to the accident spot. He has said in a post on X that there was an unfortunate accident in the NFR zone. Rescue operations are going on at the 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.
Later, he also said that the ministry will give compensation of ₹ 10 lakh each to the families of the victims, ₹ 2.5 lakh for grievous injuries, and ₹ 50,000 for minor injuries.
Monday morning’s tragic incident evokes memories of past railway accidents in the region, including the recent Coromandal Express mishap near Balasore last year, which claimed nearly three hundred lives in a similar collision scenario.
