Kanchanjunga Express Train Accident: What Is The Cause Of The Collision

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.

As per the reports, at least five people have been killed with over 25 people injured.

At approximately 8 am, the Kanchanjunga Express, travelling from Agartala in Tripura to Sealdah station in Kolkata, collided with a goods train. Following the impact, sources indicate that at least two carriages of the passenger train derailed. The train, which operates between Sealdah in West Bengal and Silchar in Assam, was particularly crowded due to the peak tourist season, drawing thousands of visitors to hill stations in northern Bengal and neighbouring Sikkim.

Cause Of Collision
The goods container train overshot the signal and hit the rear parcel coach of the Kanchanjunga Express which led to the accident, ANI reported citing sources from the Railways department.

Jaya Varma Sinha, Chairman & CEO Railway Board, said that the accident might have occurred due to human error.

She said, "Prima facie suggests human error as the cause. The first indications suggest that this is a case of signal disregard. Kavach needs to proliferate, planned for West Bengal,"

However, the detailed report is yet to be out and the authorities are yet to explain the exact reason behind the accident.

The 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.

On Kanchenjunga Express train accident in West Bengal, Former Railways Minister Dinesh Trivedi said, "It is too early to talk about the cause of it but in the modern times it requires an inquiry and deep corrections...I am guessing that possibly this engine did not have 'Kavach' (an automatic train protection (ATP) system)...I've no doubt that the govt will take corrective 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.

"DM, SP, doctors, ambulances and disaster teams have been rushed to the site for rescue, recovery, medical assistance. Action on war-footing initiated." The 13174 Kanchanjunga Express was bound for Sealdah from Agartala when the accident occurred around 9 am, the railway official said.