Darjeeling, West Bengal: In a tragic incident this morning, five passengers lost their lives, and at least 25 others were injured when the Kanchanjunga Express collided with a goods train in the Darjeeling district. The express train, travelling from Silchar in Assam to Sealdah in Kolkata, was hit from behind near Rangapani station, close to New Jalpaiguri.
The collision caused two coaches of the Kanchanjunga Express to derail. Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her shock over the incident, announcing that doctors and disaster response teams have been dispatched to the scene. “Shocked to learn about the tragic train accident in Phansidewa area of Darjeeling district. DM, SP, doctors, ambulances, and disaster teams have been rushed to the site for rescue and medical assistance. Action on war footing initiated,” she posted on X.
The Kanchanjunga Express is a daily service connecting Bengal with Northeastern cities such as Silchar and Agartala, running through the crucial Chicken’s Neck corridor. This accident could disrupt the movement of several other trains on this route. The train is also popular among tourists travelling to Darjeeling, especially during the summer months.
Preliminary reports suggest the goods train overshot a signal and crashed into the Kanchanjunga Express. National Disaster Response Force teams and ambulances were promptly sent to the site. Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is monitoring the situation from Delhi and has assured that rescue operations are proceeding on a war footing. “Unfortunate accident in NFR zone. Rescue operations going on at war footing. Railways, NDRF, and SDRF are working in close coordination. The injured are being shifted to the hospital. Senior officials have reached the site,” he posted on X.
The rear part of the Kanchanjunga Express, which included the cargo van and the guard’s coach, helped limit the human casualties since the passenger compartments were further ahead.
The Railways have released helpline numbers for information: 033-23508794 and 033-23833326 (Sealdah) and 03612731621, 03612731622, and 03612731623 (Guwahati).
Senior police officer Abhishek Roy confirmed the casualty figures, adding that efforts are ongoing to rescue and ensure the safety of the passengers.
