Five passengers have died, and 20-25 got injured after a goods train collided with the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express from behind near New Jalpaiguri in north Bengal on Monday.
“Five passengers have died, and at least 20-25 have received injuries,” said Abhishek Roy, Additional SP of Darjeeling Police.
The 13174 Kanchanjunga Express from Agartala collided with the goods train near Rangapani close to New Jalpaiguri station, he said.
The wagon of the Kanchenjunga Express train is suspended in the air. Local media videos showed a pile-up between the two trains with one compartment nearly vertical in the air with rescue workers and locals milling around at the accident side.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in a post on X, “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.”
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said in a post on X, “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.”
Help Desk number at Sealdah in connection with Kanchanjunga train collision:-
033-23508794
033-23833326
Helpline No. GHY Station
03612731621
03612731622
03612731623
Senior Ticket Collector, Raju Prashad Yadav said, “We haven't received any calls yet. Two women had come to inquire.”
Efforts are underway to shift the injured passengers to nearby hospitals, with senior officials rushing to the scene to oversee operations.
(This is a developing story)
