West Bengal Train Accident: Indian Railways Monitors Situation In Delhi

Indian Railways officials in Delhi are closely monitoring the situation at the accident site in West Bengal.

Seven people lost their lives and 30 others were injured when the Kanchanjunga Express met with an accident in Siliguri, West Bengal, on Monday. The train, which was headed to Sealdah station in Kolkata, derailed after being struck from behind by a goods train in the Rangapani region, approximately seven kilometers from North Bengal's New Jalpaiguri station.

The collision caused at least two compartments of the Kanchanjunga Express to derail.

The 13174 Kanchanjunga Express, traveling from Agartala to Sealdah, was involved in the accident around 9 am, according to the divisional railway manager (DRM) of North Frontier Railway's Katihar division, as reported by news agency PTI.

Abhishek Roy, Additional Superintendent of Police of Darjeeling, explained, "The incident occurred when a goods train collided with the Kanchenjunga Express."

Expressing concern over the accident, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stated that the district magistrate, doctors, and ambulances have been dispatched to the scene.

President Droupadi Murmu, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha also expressed their condolences for the lives lost in the accident and wished a speedy recovery for the injured passengers.

"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," tweeted the President.

Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that rescue efforts are underway "on a war footing." He tweeted, "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 the site."

The Union Minister has also departed for the accident site.

"In a tragic incident, I came to know about the Agartala-Sealdah bound Kanchenjunga Express having met with an accident near New Jalpaiguri. Three coaches were particularly damaged in this collision with the freight car. Rescue operations have already started. The state government is in touch with the railway authorities to make all efforts for the rescue and safety of the passengers. I wish the injured in this accident a speedy recovery," tweeted Manik Saha.