15 Dead, 60 Injured After Kanchenjunga Express Collides With Goods Train Near Bengal's New Jalpaiguri

Kanchenjunga Accident: The two rear compartments were thrown off the tracks due to a collision from behind by the locomotive of the goods train near Rangapani station.

Kanchenjunga Accident: At least two rear compartments of the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express derailed on Monday after a goods train collided with it near New Jalpaiguri station in West Bengal. According to reports, atleast 15 are feared dead, and 60 are injured after the unfortunate accident.  The unaffected portion of Kanchanjunga Express has left the site towards Malda Town. The passengers have been provided with food and water. Restoration work of the site is in progress. Taking to X, PM posts: 

PM @narendramodi has announced that an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased in the railway mishap in West Bengal. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000. https://t.co/2zsG6XJsGx

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 17, 2024

Express which runs between Silchar in Assam to Sealdah in Kolkata was Sealdah bound when a goods train hit it from behind near Rangapani station, located close to New Jalpaiguri in North Bengal, according to Sabyasachi De, Chief Public Relations Officer - Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR). Atleast two rear compartments were derailed under the impact of the collision from behind by the locomotive of the goods train near Rangapani station, about seven km from North Bengal's New Jalpaiguri station. 

CM Mamata Banerjee Initiates Action 

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.

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,…

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) June 17, 2024

“DM, SP, doctors, ambulances and disaster teams have been rushed to the site for rescue, recovery, medical assistance. Action on war-footing initiated.”

Minister Vaishnaw: Rescue Operations Going On 

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said rescue operations are being carried out on a war footing. "Unfortunate accident in NFR zone. Rescue operations going on at 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," Vaishnaw posted on X. Sealdah Eastern Railway has set up a control desk at Rangapani station. 

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. — Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) June 17, 2024

#WATCH | Goods train rams into Kanchenjunga Express train in Darjeeling district in West Bengal, several feared injured

Details awaited. pic.twitter.com/8rPyHxccN0 — ANI (@ANI) June 17, 2024

How Did The Accident Happen?

Sources in the Railways said that the goods container train overshot the signal and hit the rear parcel coach of the Kanchanjunga Express. Officials are reviewing the situation, the Railway officials said. The accident took place at Rangapani area in the Katihar Railway Division ahead of New Jalpaiguri Junction at around 8:45 am today.