Shocking West Bengal Train Tragedy: 15 Dead in Kanchanjunga Express Crash; ₹10 Lakh Compensation Announced
West Bengal Train Accident LIVE updates: Nearly 15 people have died and around 20-25 people have been injured when Sealdah-bound Kanchanjungha Express was hit by a goods train near New Jalpaiguri station.
On Monday morning at 8:55 AM in Darjeeling, West Bengal train tragedy, a goods train collided with the Kanchanjunga Express (13174) from behind. The accident resulted in the deaths of 8 people, including 2 loco pilots and a guard. Eastern Railway’s CPRO Kaushik Mitra confirmed this. News agency PTI reported that 15 people have died and 60 have been injured.
Kaushik Mitra mentioned that the last part of the Kanchanjunga Express train had two parcel coaches and an SLR coach attached. There were no passengers in these coaches. Five coaches of the train were damaged. At 12:40 PM, a special train has already departed for Sealdah. Most of the passengers on the train are from Malda and Bolpur. Train services have resumed on the single line.
The Kanchanjunga Express (13174) had departed from Agartala at 8:15 AM on June 16. It was scheduled to reach Sealdah at 7:20 PM on June 17. The accident occurred near Rangapani, close to New Jalpaiguri station. The train was stopped at Ruidhasa due to a red signal. During this time, the goods train coming from behind collided with it.
The collision was so severe that one coach of the express train was left hanging in the air on the goods train’s engine. Two other coaches derailed. According to the railway, it is suspected that the goods train pilot could not see the signal due to heavy rain, leading to the accident. NDRF, SDRF, along with railway and Bengal officials, are engaged in the rescue operation.
Updates related to the west bengal train tragedy
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced compensation of ₹10 lakh for those who lost their lives in the West Bengal train tragedy, ₹2.50 lakh for those seriously injured, and ₹50,000 for those with minor injuries. Additionally, the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund will provide ₹2 lakh each for the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.
North-East Frontier Railway’s CPRO Sabyasachi De said that the track where the accident occurred will be operational by night. The down Kanchanjunga Express will also run at night. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has departed from Delhi to Darjeeling.
Railways has issued helpline numbers.
Rescue operation ongoing
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated, “The accident in the North-East Frontier (NFR) zone is tragic. The rescue operation is ongoing at a war footing. Railways, NDRF, and SDRF are working together. The injured are being taken to hospitals, and senior officials have reached the incident site.”
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, “I am deeply saddened to learn about a rail accident in the Phansidewa area of Darjeeling. DM, SP, doctors, ambulances, and rescue teams have reached the site for relief and rescue operations and to transport people to hospitals.”
Understand where the accident happened with Google Maps
The Kanchanjunga Express is a daily train that connects Bengal with northeastern cities Silchar and Agartala. This route lies in the Chicken Neck Corridor, which links the Northeast with the rest of the country. Many trains have been affected due to the accident. Tourists often use the Kanchanjunga Express to travel to Darjeeling.
