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Kanchanjungha Express collision: Death toll increases to 15; resuce operations underway
A goods train collided with the Kanchanjunga Express near Jalpaiguri at around 9 a.m.; details are awaited
At least 15 people died and around 60 others were injured after a goods train collided with Sealdah-bound Kanchanjungha Express on June 17 morning near New Jalpaiguri. The accident took place around 9 a.m.
Rescue operations are underway at the spot, about 30 km from North Bengal’s New Jalpaiguri station, and the injured persons were being shifted to nearby hospitals. “At least 15 people have died in the accident till now and 60 suffered injuries,” a senior police officer told PTI.
The Eastern Railway has said that the goods train overshot the signal and hit the rear of Kanchanjungha Express. The passenger train has two parcel vans and a guard coach in rear.
The NDRF, a divisional team and 15 ambulances had reached the site, the Eastern Railway said.
Three rear compartments of the Express train derailed due to the impact of the collision, railway officials said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from the PMNRF to be given to the next of kin of each deceased in the railway mishap in West Bengal. The injured would be given ₹50,000.
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The 13174 Kanchanjunga Express from Agartala collided with the goods train near Rangapani near the New Jalpaiguri station, he said.
JUST IN | The Sealdah-Kanchanjunga Express reportedly collided with a goods train at Rangapani area near Jalpaiguri at around 9 am. Several injured. Details are awaited, railway officials said, reports Syed Sajjad Ali
📸Special Arrangement pic.twitter.com/BhFfNQvJex— The Hindu (@the_hindu) June 17, 2024
Also Read: Increase in train accidents worries Indian Railways
Condolences pour in
Meanwhile, President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top leaders expressed their condolences over the accident.
President Murmu, in a post on X, said, “The news of the loss of lives due to a train accident in Darjeeling, West Bengal is deeply distressing. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured and success of relief and rescue operations.”
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar also extended condolences to the bereaved families of the accident victims. “The loss of lives in a train accident in Darjeeling, West Bengal is truly distressing. I extend my sincere condolences to the bereaved families, and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he posted on X.
PM Modi, in a post on X, said, “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.” He added that Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is travelling to the accident site.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, were among the leaders who expressed their condolences to family members of the deceased.
Rescue operations underway
Meanwhile, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, in a post on X, said, “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.”
Reacting to the development, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in a post on X, said, “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.”
(With inputs from agencies)
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