The accident occurred shortly after the train departed from New Jalpaiguri Railway Station in Bengal.
On Monday, the Kanchanjunga Express encountered an accident in Siliguri, West Bengal. The train, heading to Sealdah station in Kolkata, was struck from behind by a goods train in the Rangapani area of Siliguri. The collision occurred shortly after the Kanchanjunga Express had departed from New Jalpaiguri Railway Station. According to Additional SP of Darjeeling Police, Abhishek Roy, the accident resulted in 5 passenger fatalities and left around 20-25 injured.
“The situation is serious. The incident happened when a goods train collided with the Kanchanjunga Express,” Roy informed news agency ANI.
Meanwhile, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee expressed concern over the accident. She stated that the District Magistrate, doctors, and ambulances have been dispatched to the scene.
“Shocked to learn about a tragic train accident in the Phansidewa area of Darjeeling district. While details are awaited, the Kanchanjunga Express has reportedly been hit by a goods train. The DM, SP, doctors, ambulances, and disaster teams have been rushed to the site for rescue, recovery, and medical assistance. Action on a war footing has been initiated,” she wrote on X.
Describing the incident as ‘unfortunate’, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the Railways, NDRF, and SDRF are working in close coordination.
“Unfortunate accident in the NFR zone. Rescue operations are ongoing at a war footing. Railways, NDRF, and SDRF are working closely together. The injured are being transported to the hospital. Senior officials have reached the site,” he wrote.
Additionally, the Northeast Frontier Railway announced that an emergency medical team has been dispatched to the location, and a helpdesk has been set up at Sealdah station to provide assistance related to the incident.
