A goods train rammed into the Kolkata-bound Kanchanjungha Express Train in the Darjeeling region in eastern India’s West Bengal on Monday morning which reportedly left 15 people dead.
The Indian railways, however, said eight people died in the tragedy.
The express train was travelling from Assam’s Silchar to Sealdah in Kolkata when it was rammed by the goods train.
The collision led to 3 coaches of the Agartala-Sealdah Kanchanjungha Express train, which was stationed, to derail.
“The first indications suggest that this is a case of signal disregard. Kavach needs to proliferated, planned for West Bengal,” Jaya Varma Sinha, Chairman & CEO Railway Board, said.
NDRF team, police, medical team have rushed to the spot. The rescue operation is still underway.
The Kanchanjungha Express is a common train for the tourists and people to travel from the southern part of West Bengal to North Bengal.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X, “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 stock of the situation. Rescue operations are underway to assist the affected. The Railways Minister Shri @AshwiniVaishnaw Ji is on the way to the site of the mishap as well.”
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw posted on X, “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.”
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee posted on X, “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 initiated.”