In Darjeeling district, a fatal collision between the Kanchanjungha Express and a goods train claimed 10 lives and injured over 60 individuals on Monday. Following the incident, several trains were canceled for Tuesday, with reroutes announced for others.
At least four coaches in the rear of the train were severely damaged in the collision at Rangapani, about 10 kilometres from New Jalpaiguri station, on a rain-soaked Monday morning in north Bengal.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) started a probe into the cause of the accident in which a goods train rammed into the Kanchanjungha Express from behind in West Bengal's Rangapani on Monday morning.
The collision was due to an automatic signaling failure, allowing the goods train to pass red signals. Rail services resumed after 12 hours of effort to clear the tracks. Prime Minister Modi expressed condolences and announced compensation for the victims. An investigation into the accident is ongoing.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reached the accident site in West Bengal and took stock of the situation. He also visited the hospital where the injured ones were shifted and met them.
The Sealdah-bound Kanchanjungha Express collided with a goods train on Monday morning near New Jalpaiguri. Jaya Varma Sinha Chairman and CEO Railway Board, said that the loco pilot of the goods train violated the signal, causing the fatal accident.
The Kanchanjungha Express accident occurred over a year after India witnessed one of its deadliest train disasters in history, claiming the lives of over 280 people in a collision involving two passenger trains and a freight train in Odisha.
The DRM of North Frontier Railway's Katihar division said the 13174 Kanchanjunga Express was bound for Sealdah from Agartala and the accident occurred around 9 am. One of the compartments of the express train got detached following the collision and settled above the locomotive of the goods train.
The collision, which occurred between Rangapani and Nijbari, severely damaged three coaches. Rescue teams from Katihar and New Jalpaiguri have been dispatched, and hospitals are on high alert. CM Mamata Banerjee expressed her shock and directed emergency teams to the site for immediate assistance.
Post the incident, rescue teams from Katihar and New Jalpaiguri have been dispatched, and hospitals are on high alert. CM Mamata Banerjee expressed her shock and directed emergency teams to the site for immediate assistance.
The popular tourist route, crucially linking the Northeast to the rest of India, faces risks due to its busy tracks and automatic signaling. Rescue efforts are underway with coordinated support from Railways, NDRF, and SDRF teams, as announced by Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Kanchanjungha Express accident: DM, SP, doctors, ambulances and disaster teams have been rushed to the site for rescue, recovery and medical assistance.
Kanchanjungha Express train accident: Railway Minister Vaishnaw described the incident as "unfortunate" and highlighted that senior officials were immediately sent to the scene. He underscored that the injured had been swiftly taken to a hospital for treatment.
Kanchanjungha Express accident HIGHLIGHTS: Reacting to the fatal train accident, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, "Unfortunate accident in NFR zone. Rescue operations going on at war footing. Railways, NDRF and SDRF are working in close coordination."
Kanchanjungha Express train accident: The collision took place near Rangapani station after the train had passed Siliguri, en route from NJP to Sealdah. The impact severely damaged three rear coaches
The collision, which occurred between Rangapani and Nijbari, severely damaged three coaches. Rescue teams from Katihar and New Jalpaiguri have been dispatched, and hospitals are on high alert. CM Mamata Banerjee expressed her shock and directed emergency teams to the site for immediate assistance.
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