A tragic train accident occurred in West Bengal’s Darjeeling, claiming the lives of at least 8 people and injuring 25 others. The incident involved the Kanchenjunga Express passenger train and a goods train, leading to widespread disruption in train services.
As a result of the accident, nearly 19 trains operated by Eastern Railways have been cancelled, affecting routes including New Jalapaiguri, Siliguri Junction, Bagdogra, and Aluabari. The affected passengers are facing significant inconvenience due to the cancellations.
The Ministry of Railways has announced several helpline numbers for families of the victims, offering assistance and information regarding the derailment. They are also providing financial aid, with the families of the deceased receiving ₹10 lakh each, while those with grievous and minor injuries will receive ₹2.5 lakh and ₹50,000 respectively.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that the goods train disregarded a signal, leading to the collision with the Kanchenjunga Express. This information was shared by Jaya Varma Sinha, Chairman & CEO Railway Board, who stated that the accident occurred early in the morning when the Kanchenjunga Express was traveling from Agartala to Sealdah. The goods train hit the rear end of the passenger train, causing the derailment.
The accident occurred near Rangapani station in the Katihar Railway Division, ahead of New Jalpaiguri Junction, at approximately 8:45 am. The area is located within the Siliguri subdivision of Darjeeling district.
The Kanchanjungha Express, operating between Silchar in Assam and Sealdah in Kolkata, was on its journey from Agartala in Tripura to Sealdah when the goods train collided with it from behind, according to Sabyasachi De, Chief Public Relations Officer – Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR).
The incident has sparked a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident and ensure safety measures are strengthened on the railway network.
