PM Modi Reacts To West Bengal Train Accident: 'My Heart Goes Out To Those Affected'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in a devastating train accident in West Bengal. The tragic incident occurred when a goods train collided with the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express near Rangapani station, killing at least 15 people and injuring 60 others.

In a statement, the Prime Minister said, "My heart goes out to those affected by the railway accident in West Bengal. I offer my condolences to the families of the deceased and wish a speedy recovery to those injured. I have spoken to officials and am monitoring the situation closely. The Railways Minister, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, is also on his way to the site of the accident to assist with the relief efforts."

PM Modi 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.

According to reports, the collision occurred just seven kilometers from Bengal's New Jalpaiguri station, when three rear compartments of the Kanchanjunga Express derailed after being struck by the goods train from behind. The Kanchanjungha Express, which operates between Silchar in Assam and Sealdah in Kolkata, was en route to Sealdah from Agartala when the accident occurred.

A massive rescue-and-relief operation has been launched by authorities to assist those affected by the disaster. The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has confirmed that 30 individuals sustained non-fatal injuries in the accident.