A tragic train accident occurred on Monday near Rangapani station in West Bengal, resulting in the loss of at least five lives and injuring around 30 people. The incident involved the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express and a goods train.
Sources within the Railways informed ANI that the goods train overshot a signal and collided with the rear parcel coach of the Kanchanjunga Express. The train comprised two parcel coaches and one guard’s coach.
Following the accident, personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Divisional Railway officials swiftly reached the site. A total of 15 ambulances and medical equipment were also deployed to the location.
Sabyasachi De, Chief Public Relations Officer of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), confirmed that the Kanchanjunga Express, traveling from Silchar in Assam to Sealdah in Kolkata, was struck from behind by a goods train near Rangapani station, close to New Jalpaiguri in North Bengal.
Rescue operations are ongoing at the accident site, approximately seven kilometers from New Jalpaiguri station. The injured passengers are being transported to nearby hospitals.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, expressing his condolences on X (formerly Twitter), stated, “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 site.”
Earlier in the day, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed shock and grief over the accident, which took place in the Phansidewa area of Darjeeling district. “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,” she stated on X. “The DM, SP, doctors, ambulances and disaster teams have been rushed to the site for rescue, recovery, medical assistance. Action on war-footing initiated,” the West Bengal chief minister added.
(With inputs from ANI)
